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MEMOIR 



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MRS. ELIZA G. JONES, 



MISSIONARY TO BURMAH AND SIAM. 



REVISED BY THE COMMITTEE OF PUBLICATION. 




PHILADELPUIJI : [Wy 

AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION AND SUNDAY 
SCHOOL SOCIETY. 

No. 21 South Fourth Street. 
1842. 



3 V 3705 



Entered accordiDg to the Act of Congress, in the year 154*2, by 

WILLIAM W. KEEN, 

Treasurer of the Am. Bap. Pub. and S. S. Society: in the Clerk's 
Office of the District Court of the Eastern District of Penn'a. 



PHI LABEL PHIa: 

KING & BAIRD, PRINTERS, 
No. 9 George Street. 



MEMOIR. 



Mrs. Eliza G. Jones was the eldest child of 
Henry and Susan Grew. She was born in 
Providence, R. L, March 30th, 1803. After 
mentioning an early developement of a desire for 
knowledge and an intellectual aptitude to attain 
it, nothing of peculiar interest is to be recorded 
of her youthful period, until He, who gave her 
existence, imparted to her that boon of sovereign 
love which renders that existence blissful and 
glorious forever. Early instructed in regard to 
her relation to the God of her being and her 
mercies, and his claims to her love and service ; 
faithfully informed that she pertained to that 
family, all the members of which are " by na- 
ture children of wrath," and that there is no 
deliverance from this state of condemnation but 
by being born of the Spirit of God, it pleased 
Him, who hath mercy on whom he will have 



4 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

mercy, to crown these instructions with the effi- 
cacy of his precious grace. 

Of this divine favour, the following letter to a 
friend presents an interesting recital. 

Hartford, January 1st, 1823. 

In giving you an account of my past experi- 
ence, dear , I hardly know where to 

begin ; should I tell you of my first serious 
thoughts, I must point you as far back as the 
sixth or seventh year of my age ; for I recollect 
exhorting my schoolfellows to repentance and 
reformation, and exciting their sympathies and 
my own, by a recital of the goodness of God, 
at that age. But the serious impressions of my 
childhood, although often pungent, were like the 
morning cloud and the early dew, which vanish 
away. Always ardent in my feelings, with tlie 
gay I have ever been the gayest; with the wild, 
the wildest; with the serious, the most serious; 
in joy, the most elated; in sorrow, the most afflict- 
ed ; and if I have at any time attained a proper 
medium, it has cost me a great deal of pains to 
preserve it. The conversation of my father, 
the closing of the year, the recurrence of my 
birth-day, and especially the perusal of Mrs. 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G, JONES. 5 

Newell's writings, have all been sources of 
awakening to my conscience. 

In the year 1814, there was a revival of reli- 
gion in this town, and about that time I was 
under the influence of religious impressions, 
more or less, for more than a year, and at one 
time almost thought that I had experienced a 
change of heart. I however did not dare to 
speak of my feelings to any one, but thought 
my conduct should decide whether I was a 
Christian or not, both for myself and others. 
Alas ! the case was soon decided. I could not 
give up the world, (which was dearer to me at 
that age, than it has ever been since,) of course 
could not serve Jesus. My impressions gradu- 
ally died away, and at last I lost them. In 
March, 1820, I went to Boston: while there, I 
indulged in all the sin and vanity that I dared. 
But conscience had not yet ceased to do her 
office, and, to appease her, I had recourse to a 
system of self-righteousness, consistent with the 
erroneous doctrine, which I was in the habit of 
hearing from the pulpit at that time. I pretended 
to read my Bible, and to ''thank God" twice a 
day, and asked for those temporal blessings 
which I wishedf or; spiritual blessings I did not 



6 MEMOIR OF MRS. K, G. JONES. 

consider needful, and often, (as you may well 
imagine,) I either forgot or neglected to ask for 
any. In short, I endeavoured to force myself 
into the belief that a change of heart was a mere 
chimera, and that the promise, " believe on the 
Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved," 
meant merely this : believe that such a person 
as Jesus Christ came into the world and died 
for sinners, and his blood shall atone for all your 
sins, without your care or attention. In this 
dreadful state of presumption and carnal security, 
I returned to Hartford, in the month of Novem- 
ber. Oh! had I reraamed there, [in Boston,] as I 
wished, I might have been confirmed in the awful 
delusion, and gone down to hell with a lie in my 
right hand. In the whole course of my life, I 
never was so much opposed to conviction, yet 
conviction I could not withstand. I thought I 
would put it off until after I had attended a party 
to which I expected soon to be invited, and then 
I would set about seeking religion in earnest. 
I had no sooner made this resolution, than all 
my seriousness vanished. In vain did I try to 
obtain it after the party was over. It was gone, 
nor would the most searching sermons have any 
efiect upon me, till one evening, as I was sitting 



MKMOIP^ OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 7 

in the Baptist vestry, before the services com- 
menced, the idea was suggested to me that ^he 
spirit of the Lord had departed, and that I was 
given over to destruction. A few days after, I 
read some remarks upon the unpardonable sin, 
and became convinced that my day of grace was 
over. About this time I staid a night at Wethers- 
field, where the Lord was then powerfully at 
work. The sight of the young converts there 
was very painful to me, for I believed that I 
should never feel any more conviction. I could 
not bear to look at them, or hear them speak; 
and, after meeting, I walked alone to the house 
where I lodged, and retired as soon as possible, 
in order to avoid them ; but when alone in my 
chamber, my own thoughts became intolerable. 
My sins seemed to rise like weaves to swallow 
me up; one brought another to view, and I 
thought that there need not be a worse hell than 
to be overwhelmed with a sense of guilt. All 
this time, my heart was at enmity with God ! 
I knew not what to do, or where to go. Punish- 
ment appeared inevitable, and punishment was 
all I dreaded. Some time after this, my feelings 
changed, and I could view God, not only as a 
just, but also as a holy, merciful, and good being ; 



8 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

but, as I supposed I had sinned away my day of 
grace, and it would be impossible ever to obtain 
salvation. At length I was brought to see that 
there might be mercy for me, and tried to obtain 
it. I had a great aversion to saying any thing 
on the subject of religion, and have been afraid 
to take up my Bible, in presence of the family, 
for fear they should think that I had become 

serious. No one but knew any thing of 

my exercises for a long time, and the first time 
• Mr. Cushman spoke to me, I trembled so that I 
could scarcely stand ! On the evening of the 31st 
of December, I refused to stay to a prayer meet- 
ing after sermon, for fear of being conversed 
with ; this distressed me exceedingly after I re- 
turned home, for I believed that I had denied the 
Saviour. The next morning, two years ago this 
day, I arose with a resolution to testify of the 
goodness of God to those around me, although I 
had no idea that I was a Christian. I exhorted 
my sisters and a young lady who had slept with 
them, and felt some pleasure in reflecting upon 
the character of God, but was not conscious of 
any hope of being interested in his love. Several 
weeks after, as I opened my Bible, (which I was 
not now ashamed of,) the 26th verse of the 36th 



MEMOIR OF MKS. E. G. JONES. 9 

chapter of Ezekiel, met my eye, when I imme- 
diately left the room, and, bursting into tears, 
cried out, ''Lord, I believe, help thou mine un- 
belief." Then I could say, " my Lord and my 
God ;" and although I have, since then, had 
many doubts and fears, although I have sinned 
and gone far astray from him, yet I think that I 
can say I have never entirely lost the sense of 
his goodness, his infinite condescension, which 

I felt at that moment. O my dear I feel 

that 

" The vast debt of love I owe 
Can never be repaid." 

Some years intervened before she had confi- 
dence to make a public profession of her faith. 
A few extracts from her diary will exhibit the 
character of that faith. 

Sept. 13th, 1822. — This day have been com- 
mitted to the dust the mortal remains of my 
dear Aunt Eliza ! Mourn not, O my soul, for 
her — weep for thyself — for thy sin ; mourn thy 
own ingratitude — thy own stupidity. Now the 
world recedes for a moment, but how soon will 
its temptations return — how soon will it again be 
my idol, and detach my affections from my dear 
Redeemer ? Without the sanctifvinsf influences 



10 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

of the Holy Spirit, this solemn providence will 
be misimproved. Heavenly Father, grant thy 
blessing upon it, that it may serve to wean me 
from the world — make me more watchful, more 
prayerful, more devoted to thy service, and bet- 
ter prepared for that heavenly state of existence 
where my dear Aunt is now raising her hallelu- 
jah to him who sitteth upon the throne, and to 
the Lamb forever. 

Sunday, Oct. 27th. — Oh ! it requires afflic- 
tion succeeding affliction to wean me from this 
vain, delusive, transitory world. Great God, 
thou art just, for the affection of thy creatures 
belongs to thee ; and when one judgment did 
not suffice to draw me back to thee from whom 
I have revolted, thou hast seen fit to send a 
second — to add a third. May this not be dis- 
regarded like the preceding ; may thine authori- 
ty no longer be trampled upon, and while I 
mourn the exit of departed friends, may I more 
bitterly weep for past transgressions. 

Dec. 22d. — My unfaithfulness, my worldly- 
mindedness, my neglect of duty during the last 
two years are presented to my mind, and fill my 
soul with anguish. Why have I given the ene- 
mies of the cross so much reason to say — " what 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 11 

do ye more than others " I Why do I not live 
as Jesus Christ lived ? as his saints live, or even 
as I once lived myself? Death hastens on 
apace ; eternity v^ith all its realities will soon be 
unfolded to my view^, my day of grace will soon 
be over. "Arise, O sleeper, and call upon thy 
God." 

Dec. 31st. — Tremble, O my soul, at the 
review of the past year. Think of the sins, the 
faults, the follies that have so rapidly accumu- 
lated during one short year ! O Lord, cover 
me with the robe of Christ's righteousness, that 
my misimproved years may not rise up in judg- 
ment against me. Amen. 

Feb. 6th, 1823. — Where is that godly jealousy, 
that sj)irit of self-denial, that watchfulness, that 
engagedness in prayer, that love to God, which 
were once in exercise ? What appears in the 
heart which they have deserted ? O black 
ingratitude ! Worldly conformity, a spirit of 
levity, anger, pride, neglect of duty, and crimi- 
nal stupidity, are now apparent in my thoughts, 
words and actions ; and I am daily and hourly 
bringing reproach upon that religion which it 
should be my constant endeavor to recommend 
to all around me. Examine well, O my soul, 



12 ME3I0IR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

the foundation of that hope to which thou art 
still so fondly clinging ; remember there is a 
hope which perisheth when God takes away 
the soul. 

May 6th. — O that I could say, from the heart, 
thy will, O God, not mine, be done : that I could 
bear with patience the trials of this life, and look 
beyond the grave to that heavenly inheritance 
which is prepared for all who love God. Why 
should I charge God foolishly ? I am weak and 
short sighted. I know not what is best. Sub- 
mit then, O my soul, cheerfully, to the dispen- 
sations of that providence which ordereth all 
thy lot in mercy. Remember that no good thing 
will thy heavenly Father withhold from those 
who put their trust in him. Though no eye but 
his is witness to thy complaints, he knows all 
thy wants and all thy sorrows, and will assur- 
edly cause all things to work together for thy 
good. 

"I trust in thee, and know on whom I trust; 
Or life, or death, is equal ; neither weighs : 
All weight in this — O let me live to thee." 

On the last Sunday in January, 1827, she 
confessed her Saviour before men, in the manner 
he has himself ordained. By her rejoicing 



iMEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 13 

father, she was buried with the Lord in baptism, 
that she might '' fulfil all righteousness," and 
rise with him to newness of life. 

Her views and emotions when she publicly 
united with his professed disciples, are expressed 
as follows : 

Feb. 11th, 1827.—'*! have this day become 
a member of the visible church of Christ ; have 
openly professed myself his follower, and, in 
presence of God, angels and men, bound my- 
self, by the most solemn vows to live hence- 
forth to his glory. By thus solemnly entering 
into covenant with the people of God, I have 
unequivocally declared that I have come out 
from the world ; that I view the customs and 
fashions of it as things that are passing away, 
and which are no longer worthy to engage my 
attention ; that my treasure is in heaven, and that 
I seek a better country. I have declared my 
belief that the only object worth my pursuit, is 
the advancement of the cause of Christ in the 
world, and that I am determined to devote all 
my energies, my time, and my talents to the 
cause which I have espoused; for Christ has 
said, "Ye cannot serve God and mammon." I 
have declared also, by this act, that the children 
2 



14 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

of God are my chosen, my favorite companions ; 
that, as brethren, their welfare lies near my heart ; 
that their joys are my joys, their sorrows my 
sorrows. I have declared that I love Jesus 
Christ better than any earthly good, and am wil- 
ling to take np my cross and follow him through 
evil as well as through good report. I have 
promised to renounce all my idols and to serve 
God with singleness of heart ; to resign all my 
schemes of w^orldly prosperity, and follow the 
example of him who came not to do his own 
will. In connecting myself with the saints of 
God, I have engaged to love them, to bear with 
them, to do them all the good in my power, to 
assist them by my example and sympathy, in all 
the various circumstances in which we may 
respectively be placed. I have given myself 
away to Christ and his church, for time and 
eternity. After making such vows, should I 
go back into the world, and forget, as I have often 
done, my obligation to the glory of God ; should 
I forsake the fountain of living waters, and hew 
out to myself broken cisterns which can hold 
none ; should I become pleased with the trifles 
of earth, and pursue, like the worldling, the vain 
things of time and sense, what a reproach shall 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 15 

I bring on the cause of Christ ; what sorrow to 
his devoted followers, and what heavy judgments 
on myself! But how shall such a sinful, fickle, 
treacherous heart as mine be kept from wander- 
ing? How shall I ever be able to keep the 
solemn covenant into which I have now entered ? 
It is only through him whose strength is made 
perfect in our weakness, that I can hope to keep 
the least of these responsible engagements ; and 
I do hope that, with his assistance, I shall be 
able to live more to his glory than I have ever 
done. I cannot bear to think that the feelings 
that have animated my heart this day, especially 
while sitting down for the first time at the table 
of the Lord, will, in a few days, evaporate. I 
cannot bear the thought of being left to wander 
from Christ; to lose sight of the glories of his 
kingdom ; to become interested again in the 
trifles of this world ; and I will not expect it, 
for He is faithful who has promised to keep his 
followers to the end. I will believe that he will 
henceforth keep me from dishonoring his cause 
and bringing scandal upon his church." 

Blessed be the God of salvation, this humble 
confidence in her Redeemer proved, by its holy 
fruits, to be his own work of love in her heart. 



16 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

Communion with Jesus indeed was not often 
enjoyed by his first disciples on the mount. So 
it was with the beloved subject of this memoir. 
It was in the vale of humility that she walked 
with God. 

Sept. 4th, 1827. — She thus wrote. "How 
precious are those visits of his love which Jesus 
sometimes makes to his unworthy children, 
when he gives ihem a sense of their utter un- 
worlhiness and vileness, and, at the same time, 
sets before them, in the light of strong, unwaver- 
ing faith, his own transcendent power and wil- 
lingness to save the soul ; his blessed promises 
to sanctify and purify it, and the assurance he 
has given that wherever a work of grace has 
been begun in the heart, it shall be carried on 
till the day of full redemption from all the sin 
and misery of a fallen world. At such seasons, 
particularly when the Christian realizes that 
these glorious views are vouchsafed to him in 
special answer to prayer, how overwhelming is 
his sense of that infinite condescension and love 
which stoops to regard, in such a signal manner, 
one who has so ungratefully and basely wandered 
from him ; so often disregarded the gracious 
offer of his presence and blessing ; so often dis- 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 17 

obeyed his commands and wounded him in the 
house of his friends. And while he is led to 
exclaim with Job, " I have heard of thee by the 
hearing of the ear, but now mine eye seeth 
thee ; wherefore I abhor myself and repent in 
dust and ashes," he cannot but add, in the lan- 
guage of the Apostle, " I know in whom I have 
believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep 
that which I have committed unto him against 
that day." 

September 16th. — '• Now is my soul troubled ; 
and what shall I say ? Father, save me from 
this hour: but for this cause came I unto this 
hour." I have just heard a sermon from these 
aiffecting words ; but no illustrations of the 
preacher; no eloquent description of that scene 
of agony, could raise my mind above the eleva- 
tion of feeling which the simple reading of the 
words produced. Gabriel himself could make 
no adequate comment on a text like that. It is 
the voice of Jesus proclaiming to the astonished 
soul in one sublime sentence, the awful nature 
of sin ; the lost condition of the sinner ; the in- 
flexible justice and transcendent love of God ; 
the mighty value of the soul, and the enormous 
price paid for its ransom. After hearing this, no 
2* 



I 



18 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

wonder that the voice of a mortal should fall 
faintly on the ear. The practical remarks of 
the preacher interested me much more than his 
illustrations of the text. His appeal to sinners 
was solemn and powerful ; that to Christians, 
forcible and affecting. The following impres- 
sive sentence will long be engraven on my 
memory. " In view of this scene, go, ran- 
somed believer, and sin no more forever." 

December 1st. — Why do my thoughts recur 
so frequently to death-bed scenes ? Why do I 
look with such pleasure on the lifeless corpse, 
and follow with my eyes the passing hearse ; 
my thoughts almost unconsciously darting for- 
ward, with a sort of involuntary delight, to the 
day when it shall carry me to the house ap- 
pointed for all living ? Is it because I am already 
fitted for the holy mansions above ? Is it be- 
cause I cannot sustain the ills of this life, that 
I long to *' fly away and be at rest ?" Because 
I cannot bear the conflict with my evil heart ; 
my carnal propensities ; my inordinate affec- 
tions ; my unhallowed desires ; my selfish dis- 
position ? God has promised his assistance in 
this warfare, and however discouraging or distres- 
sing it may be, his grace will be sufficient for 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 19 

me during its continuance, and will sooner or 
later enable me to overcome. Do I long- for 
heaven because I have no work to do on earth ? 
Tongue cannot utter, thought cannot conceive, 
the vast extent of labor which lies before the 
Christian. Were I a minister of the gospel, 
commissioned to proclaim salvation to a perish- 
ing world, should I wish to leave my work and 
go home to glory ? No, the'longest life would 
then be too short to accomplish all I should 
wish to do for God and my fellow sinners. 
But there is within my own sphere of action 
much more to be done than I can hope ever to 
accomplish; and shall I let one talent remain un- 
occupied because I do not possess Jive? Shall 
I wish to be dismissed from my Captain's service 
and go home, because I am placed in the rear of 
his army? Let me work while the day lasts, 
remembering that " the night cometh in which 
no man can work." 

June 5th, 1828. — This day I have set apart 
for private fasting, humiliation and prayer. A 
slight inspection of the state of my heart shows 
me how much I need such an exercise. O how 
little have I been aware of the depravity of my 
nature ! How little have I realized my inward 



20 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

pollution ? Where is the accomplishment of all 
my good resolutions ? I have resolved to live 
to the glory of God ; but selfishness is still 
ruling (I had almost said supremely) in my 
heart. I have resolved to exercise great faith 
and confidence in my heavenly Father ; but un- 
belief and distrust still cleave to me. I have re- 
solved to submit quietly and cheerfully to all the 
dispensations of his providence ; but forget that 
He is infinite in wisdom and goodness as v^ell as 
power, and murmur at his will. I have resolved 
to deny «elf; to fight against all my evil pas- 
sions ; to bear with meekness and patience ali 
the vexations and trials that I meet with ; but 
continue to indulge irritability of temper, anger, 
arrogance and impatience. I have resolved to 
cultivate a spirit of universal love and benevo- 
lence toward all my fellow creatures ; but have 
often neglected their interest, wounded their 
feelings, disregarded their happiness, miscon- 
strued their conduct, and unnecessarily ex- 
posed their faults. But the most humiliating 
thought of all is, that notwithstanding my pro- 
fessions of self-abasement, and my resolutions to 
live humble at the foot of the cross, I find my- 
self inflated with pride, filled with self-conceit, 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 21 

thinking myself to be something when I am 
nothing, and expecting others to pay me the 
same homage which I pay to myself. Surely 
when Satan mixed for our race the bitter cup of 
sin, which he presented to us through our first 
parents, he made his own master passion a prin- 
cipal ingredient. It infuses its poison into every 
thing I do. How wondrously will the efficacy 
of the blood of Christ be displayed, in the puri- 
fication of such a heart ; and how gloriously 
will the grace of God shine in its sanctification !" 

The following was written a few weeks after 
her first expectation of going to Burmah. 

March 24th, 1830. — I have set apart this day 
for fasting and special prayer for more spiritual- 
minded ness, a spirit of deeper devotion and di- 
vine direction respecting my future path in life. 

Last evening I took up some lines written on 
the death of Mrs. Judson ; and as I read the 
affecting description of her death, the trials inci- 
dent to the life of a missionary, were so vividly 
brought before my mind, that my heart almost 
sunk within me. I thought of Henry Martyn, 
travelling through the burning desert alone and 
friendless, lying on the hard ground in a scorch- 
ing fever and chilling ague ; of both sinking, 



22 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 



under trials too great for human endurance, into 
the arms of the last enemy, without a friend to 
wipe from their brows the cold sweat of death, 
or administer one word of comfort as tliey 
passed through the dark valley. I thought of 
Harriet XewelL and all the sulierings she 
endured on her disastrous voyage from Calcutta 
to the Isle of France : of Parsons, of Fisk, and 
of many odier servants of God who devoted 
themselves lo Him ^^ in afflictions, in necessities, 
in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in 
tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings;" 
and I fell assured that such must be my lot if I 
should go among the heathen. 

Tins day commenced with a different train of 
thought. Distressed with my want of conformity 
to God, I cast myself before him. earnesdv sup- 
plicating his pardon for my past sins, and the 
assistance of his Holy Spirit to change ray pol- 
luted heart. I never had that ardent piet}^ that 
singleness of heart, that deadness to the world, 
which not only every missionary, but every 
christian ought to possess. 

Again my thoughts have recurred to th? path 
which I must tread should I devote my .elf to 
the mission. Can I leave my native land, and 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 



23 



all the privileges which I enjoy, to go to a coun- 
try of moral darkness and superstition ? Can I 
forego the society of my christian friends ; the 
assemblies of the saints, to associate with stran- 
gers and heathens ? Can I forsake my pleasant 
home where I have spent so many years in ease, 
plenty and happiness, to become a wanderer on 
the face of the earth, to endure trials, privations 
and hardships, of which I can now form no con- 
ception ? There have been times when I have 
felt such an ardent, inexpressible desire to do 
something for God; to manifest in some way 
my attachment to Jesus ; to devote every mo- 
ment of my short life to his service, that I have 
thought no sacrifice too great to make, no trials 
too severe to be endured, so that I might do some 
good in his cause, or be the means of the con- 
version of one soul. And shall I now draw 
back ? Shall I withhold any thing from Jesus ? 
From Him who has died to redeem me from sin 
and misery ; who, I trust, has renewed me by 
his grace, and is now preparing for me a man- 
sion in the realms of eternal glory? No: "I 
can do all things through Christ who strength- 
eneth me." 

May 16.— When shall I lie prostrate at the 



24 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

foot of the cross ? Never, never, dear Lord, till 
thine own Spirit's influences bring me there. O 
that I could lose all thought of self in the con- 
templation of eternal things. Well ; I do hope 
that a time will come, even in this life, when 
my time will be so fully occupied, and my atten- 
tion so entirely engrossed with my Master's 
work, that I shall find little leisure to think of 
any thing else. 

May 24. — Heard a most excellent and ani- 
mating discourse from Psalm 104. My emo- 
tions, while listening to it, were varied. The 
leading reflections of my mind were on the 
amazing stupidity and depravity of mankind, 
worshipping images their own hands have formed 
from stocks and stones ! Wonderful and appal- 
ling proof of the power of sin over the human 
intellect ! Felt some ardent desires to make 
known to poor benighted Burmans their glorious 
beneficent Creator, and to endeavor to persuade 
them to exchange their anticipations of supreme 
good in annihilation, for the glorious hope of 
immortality. 

If it is strange that the heathen should bow 
down to idols, and more surprizing that those 
who live within the sound of the gospel should 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 25 

reject it ; how much more astonishing is it that 
those who have experienced the blessedness of 
pardoning love, and tasted the sweetness of 
communion with God, should set their affections 
on the world, neglect their privileges, and with- 
hold from their Redeemer, their time, their 
talents and their influence. 

Blessed God ! fill my mind with such a sense 
of thy glorious perfections, of thy transcendent 
love, that I shall continually pant after con- 
formity to thee, and lose all relish for every en- 
joyment but those which flow from thy presence." 

On the 14th of July 1830, Miss Grew was 
married to John Taylor Jones, who had been 
appointed by the Baptist Board of Foreign Mis- 
sions, missionary to Burmah. With Messrs. 
Ramsey, Read, Hervey, and their wives, mis- 
sionaries appointed by the A. B. C. F. M., they 
embarked in the Corvo, Capt. Spaulding, on the 
2d of August, being commended to the grace of 
God by the prayers of the saints. The parting 
hour was also cheered with the song of praise to 
Him who has commanded his disciples to go 
into all the world and preach his gospel to every 
creature, promising to be with them even " unto 
the end of the world." 
3 



26 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

To a heart, glowing so vividly with the fire 
of friendship, this was indeed the hour of trial ! 
But, blessed be the Father of mercies, his grace 
triumphed. Writing Nov. 11th, in the Indian 
Ocean, she remarked, "When nature had forced 
from me a short indulgence of her feelings, I be- 
gan to supplicate the God of missions for a per- 
formance of His promise, " My strength shall 
be made perfect in thy weakness." Since that 
time I have suffered less from the loss of my 
friends' society than I anticipated. Many other 
favors have made large demands on my gratitude. 
We have had a kind, attentive captain ; agreea- 
ble company, good accommodations, &c. Our 
religious privileges have been far greater than 
most missionaries are allowed on ship board, and 
my own spiritual blessings have not been small." 

Extract from a letter, dated, Nov. 26th, Indian 
Ocean. 

"What would I not give to see you by my s'vde 
at this moment, and, instead of transmitting to a 
silent sheet of paper, mere fragments of the thou- 
sand thoughts which I wish to communicate to 
you, pour them unmutilated into your ear, fresh 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 27 

and warm from the heart, and hear the responses of 
friendship. But separated as we are, and deprived 
of the pleasures of personal intercourse, I eagerly 
employ even an inadequate vehicle ; and most 
sincerely thankful would I be to Him who 
"guides the affairs of men," that any means 
have been devised for the transmission of thought 
from one side of the globe to the opposite." 

Referring to the parting scene, she remarked, 
" The last ties which bound me to the friends of 
my youth, to liome and native land, were now 
sundered, and since that time I have felt that I 
am literally a pilgrim and stranger on the earth, 
w^ith little prospect of having any permanent 
home in this life. But what is our life ? Inspi- 
ration answers, *' It is even as a vapor which 
appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth 
away." My home, I trust, is in heaven^ and 
there I hope to meet many of those to whom 
my heart still clings with fondest affection. 
Amid the glorious scenes which will then sur- 
round us, and the pure delights which friendship 
there shall taste, all the sacrifices, toils and trials 
which now cause us so much suffering, will 
dwindle into their own real insignificance, and 



28 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

if they have been instrumental in the smallest 
degree of guiding one soul to those blissful 
regions, will prove sources of exquisite and undy- 
ing happiness to our own immortal minds. 

Many agreeable associations entwine them- 
selves with the recollection of my dear . 

Among them is the female prayer meeting in 
which we have been associated. It has been a 
source of no small consolation and encourage- 
ment to Mr. J. and myself, when at times almost 
overborne by a sense of our unfitness for the 
arduous work we have undertaken, to be able to 
say to ourselves and to each other, '' many chris- 
tians are praying for us." At such times, ima- 
gination, swifter than the rays of light, trans- 
ports me to dear America, and carries me from 
one little circle to another where supplications 
are ascending to heaven in my behalf, until hope 
and confidence kindle in my heart. 

River Hoogly, Dec. 21st. — I have not time 
to describe to you my emotions at sight of land 
once more, or on beholding the degraded inhab- 
itants of idolatrous India. Indeed it will be 
more easy for you to imagine than for me to 
describe them. 



• 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 29 

EXTRACTS FROM JOURNAL. 

Dec. 22. — After breakfast Capt. S.., Mr. 
Ramsey and JMr. Read, went ashore at Diamond 
harbor for an hour or two, and brought us some 
cocoa nuts. At our evening devotions a very 
intelligent sircar was present. He understands 
English, and brother Ramsey held quite an inter- 
esting conversation with him on the manners 
and customs of his country. He says that, in 
forty or fifty years, the Bengalees will all be 
christians, acknowledges that their own religion 
is foolish and its requirements oppressive ; but 
says, if he should not conform to it, that all his 
relatives would despise and forsake him. 

Respecting a future state, he says, ^' We not 
know where the life go, when the body dies.'' 
Of their mourning customs he gave us a par- 
ticular account. " When a father dies, we cry 
all the day long, and mourn for him one month. 
We not chew betel-nut; not eat ghee (butter) 
or curry with our rice ; taste no sweetmeats, 
not shave, not wear any fine cotton, never wash 
or oil the body, never change clothes for one 
month. Women cry every day all the month. 
Men not cry all the time. We sigh and mourn 
3^ 



30 MEMOIR OF MRS. E» G. JONES. 

in our hearts." When asked, ''how long do 
you mourn for a son ?" he replied, " we mourn 
great many ; we sorry all our life." ''And 
when women die what do you do ?" " O, 
women ; we not care much for tliera.^^ 

Evening. Passed several native villages. 
Their thatched huts are built very close to- 
gether, and resemble a collection of clumsy 
hay-stacks. At one of these villages it hap- 
pened to be market-day. We had a full view 
of thousands of natives assembled under the 
trees on the bank of the river. A little far- 
ther on, we saw a woman standing in the water, 
assisting her husband in drawing a fishing net; 
the first Bengalee female we have seen. The 
lower castes are not particular, like their supe« 
riors, to keep their wives out of sight. 

Dec. 24. — Well, we have actually set foot 
on the Asiatic shore. While we lay at anchor 
this morning Capt. S. took all the ladies in his 
boat to Budge-budge, a native town on the bank 
of the river. 

Dec. 25. — This morning the " City of Pala- 
ces" opened on our view. The scenery on 
that part of the river called Garden Reach is 
very fine, for this perfectly level country. Both 



MEMOIR OF MRS< E. G. JONES. 31 

banks are lined with the country-houses of 
English residents, which look very pretty 
among the shrubbery. They are built of brick 
or tile, covered with chunam, a kind of white 
plaster ; their windows, which reach down to 
the floor, have green venitian blinds, and the 
verandahs are supported by large handsome 
pillars, of the same material as the house. Cows, 
sheep and goats feeding around them, contribute 
much to the beauty of the landscape. 

Mr. J. and myself, having received a kind 
invitation from brother William Yates, pastor of 
the Circular Road (Baptist) church, to make his 
house our home, proceeded thither, and arrived 
in time for dinner at four o'clock. 

Dec. 26. — Attended service this morning at 
Circular Road chapel. O how delightful was it 
to worship God once more in the congregation 
of his saints. 

Jan. 2d, 1831. — Mr. Jones preached at Cir- 
cular Road chapel in the morning, after which 
Mr. Yates baptized three young Englishmen 
and two native women. 

January 7. I went into Mrs. Yates' school to- 
day. It is taught by a native Christian woman, 
in a bungalow near the house, and contains sixty 



32 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

scholars. Mrs, Y. visits it almost daily, and 
always knows whether the teacher and scholars 
are punctual or not. The litde ones sit on mats 
round narrow desks for their books, which form 
hollow squares, in the centre of which the teacher 
sits on a mat. 

Sunday, January 9. At five o'clock went with 
Mr. J. to the bungalow, (a small thatched build- 
ing,) where Mr. Pearce meets the native Chris- 
tians. He preaches to them in the morning; 
examines them in the afternoon, to ascertain 
whether they understood his sermon ; and then, 
after a short intermission, preaches again. Ser- 
vices all in the Bengalee language. To-day was 
their communion season, and it was quite affecting 
to sit down at the table of our Lord with such an 
assembly. 0, if the time shall ever arrive, when 
I shall enjoy the felicity of sitting down to the 
sacramental supper with one soul who has, by my 
instrumentality, been rescued from the slavery 
of heathenism, and brought into the glorious 
liberty of the children of God, I am sure that I 
shall feel that all the sacrifices I have made, and 
all the toils and trials I may hereafter be called to 
suffer, are repaid, infinitely more than repaid. 

January 10. Was much struck with the sight 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 33 

of such throngs of fellow-beings passing onward 
to eternity without any knowledge of a Saviour, 
or hope of immortality. In Calcutta alone, work 
might be found for hundreds of faithful mission- 
aries. O ! when will Christ's followers be fully 
alive to the wants and the miseries of the heathen 
world ! When wdll each one obey, to the extent 
of his ability, the last command of his divine 
Master, " Go ye into all the world, and preach 
the gospel to every creature ?" 

January 25th. Last evening Mr. J. and myself 
went up the river to Serampore, with Messrs. 
John and Joshua Marshman. We found their 
venerable father sitting up for us. He welcomed 
us with much cordiality, saying, "we think all 
missionaries who come to this country belong to 
us." Mr. and Mrs. M. are still engaged in 
schools. They have about forty scholars each. 
This morning Brother M. took us over the college 
building. There are twenty native students be- 
longing to the college, and twelve sons of mis- 
sionaries. Brother Carey still has the superin- 
tendence of it. We next went to pay a visit to 
the good old patriarch, whose dwelling is very 
near the college and mission house. He gave us 
a hearty welcome, and showed us his extensive 



34 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

library, and collection of natural curiosities. After 
dining at brother Marshman's, we took an affec- 
tionate farewell of our kind friends, scarcely 
conscious that our acquaintance was that of a day. 
On my part, it really was not so, for the names 
of Carey and Marshman had been known, loved, 
and associated with all my ideas of India and 
missionary operations since the days of early 
childhood. 

January 29th. Brother W. H. Pearce kindly 
offered us his carriage to go to Chitpore to-day. 
We set off at six o'clock A. M., and arrived in 
time to breakfast with Mr. and Mrs. G. Pearce, 
who reside at this station. After breakfast, we 
visited the day schools. The girls' school, super- 
intended by Mrs. P., consists of one hundred and 
sixty scholars. Their first attempt at writing 
was made on long smooth leaves. They read 
Bengalee only. The boys are taught English. 
There is also a school at this station for those 
who speak the Hindostanee language, and a 
chapel in which Brother P. preaches every Sun- 
day, in Bengalee. 

31st. There are many things to dishearten and 
oppress the missionary when he first finds him- 
self in a heathen land, surrounded by idolaters ; 



Mf^MOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 35 

yet much also to show him the necessity for the 
sacrifice he has made, and to stimulate him to 
exertion. Beloved friends at home are dearer to 
me now than ever, but may I not say that precious 
souls are dearer too ? I think so. 

Extract from a letter to a friend. 

My views of the enterprise which I have un- 
dertaken, now I am drawing near to the land 
where its arduous duties are soon to be entered 
upon, will perhaps interest you as much as any 
train of thought which I can pursue. You will 
wish to know how things appear to my mind 
since the bustle is over, the novelty passed by, 
the sacrifice made, the die cast for my future 
destiny. All is reality now. The fleecy, 
golden tipped clouds of enthusiasm and roman- 
tic zeal, through which the missionary enter- 
prize is often contemplated by those who sit 
around home's cheerful fireside, have vanished, 
and left the mighty work naked to the gaze of 
the trembling volunteer ; and had I not the 
strongest conviction that the providence of God 
has called me to this work, consequently, that 
I shall be assisted by Almighty energy in my 
attempts to perform it, I should shrink, disheart- 
ened, from all that lies before me. O ! did chris- 



36 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

tians at home know how much missionaries 
need their prayers ; did they realize what varied 
qualifications they require, what a large measure 
of the heavenly graces is indispensible to their 
usefulness, how many temptations lie in their 
path, how difficult it is to order their conversa- 
tion and deportment in such a manner as to 
honor the cause which they have espoused, 
among the different classes of people with whom 
they are called to associate from time to time, 
and how liable they are, almost every moment, 
to bring reproach on that cause, they would feel 
that w^e have strong claims on their frequent and 
fervent intercession at the throne of grace. 

Our friends are only the dearer to us for the 
oceans that roll between us and them ; and the 
comforts of home seem sweeter than ever, since 
we have been deprived of them. Is there then 
no danger of our looking back with such ardent 
desires to the beloved spot as to palsy our ener- 
gies and even tempt us to abandon our work 
and retrace our steps ? How much wisdom do 
we need to enable us to form judicious plans ; 
what patience to bear with the prejudices and 
ignorance of minds long accustomed to idolatry 
and moral pollution ; what perseverance and 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. 6. JONES. 37 

fortitude to perform all the labors and endure the 
trials of such a life ; what meekness and for- 
bearance to maintain a unity of feeling and 
action with those, who, though brethren having 
the same great cause at heart as ourselves, have 
nevertheless been educated with different modes 
of thinking, habits and customs, and on many 
minor matters of opinion cherish different sen- 
timents. 

I do not make these remarks because I look 
with greater dread, or less pleasure, than at first, 
on the work which lies before me ; for I still 
believe that I " counted the cost" of such an 
enterprise, as far as I could do so under existing 
circumstances, before I consented to embark in 
it. The nearer I approach the probable scene 
of my future labors, the more ardently do I long 
to find myself surrounded by the benighted 
Burmans, doing something to raise them from 
their present degradation and misery to the glo- 
rious privileges of the gospel of Christ. But I 
feel more and more sensibly that I, as well as 
every other missionary, am entirely dependent 
on the influences of the Holy Spirit to keep my 
heart faithful to the end, to guide my steps 
aright ; and to make any of my efforts success- 
4 



38 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

ful ; and I know that the fervent prayers of the 
righteous shall avail much, whenever they shall 
be offered for me and my associates m this ardu- 
ous employment. 

Extract of a letter dated Calcutta, Janu- 
ary 28, 1831. 

'* We have found time to make some valuable 
acquaintances and to enjoy some sweet inter- 
course with the dear missionary brethren who 
reside here. Mr. and Mrs. Yates, at whose 
hospitable mansion we have found a home for a 
few weeks, are so friendly, kind and social, that 
they are already beloved by us like old friends, 
and we shall suffer much pain at parting with 
them." 

Journal. Feb. 1st. — This morning we took 
a painful farewell of our hospitable friends in 
Calcutta, and came down the river in a budge- 
row, a boat with a little cuddy, having green 
blinds and rowed by six natives. We expected 
to have found the brig Bucephalus, in which we 
are to sail for Maulmain, at Olabarea, a village 
about fifteen miles from Calcutta, but she had 
gone, and we did not reach her until evening. 

Feb. 15. — This afternoon the Martaban hills 
afforded us our first glimpse of Burmah. This 



i 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 39 

evening we are lying at anchor below Amherst. 
My sensations, while gazing on its shore, are 
new and intense. Shall my lot in this pagan 
land be like that of her, whose remains lie 
sleeping there ? Rather let me ask shall I be 
faithful to my God? Shall my spirit be re- 
ceiving the reward of the righteous, when my 
dust shall also be mouldering on a foreign 
shore ? 

Extract of a letter dated Maulmain, March 
3, 1831. 

On the 15th February, we anchored off Am- 
herst, where we saw a light glimmering from a 
house near the spot where the dust of Mrs. 
Judson waits its reunion with the glorified 
spirit which has forsaken it. On the 17th, Mr. 
J. and myself were in Capt. Tozer's jolly-boat 
on our way to this place where we arrived be- 
tween five and six o'clock. Mr. and Mrs. Ben- 
nett received us joyfully, and Mr. and Mrs. Kin- 
caid and Mrs. Mason soon came in to welcome 
us toBurmah. Brother and sister Wade were at 
Amherst. Fifty-six have been added to the 
Karen church within the last two months, and 
many more are inquiring for the bread of life. 
But he who has hitherto broken it to them is 



40 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

taken from them. Brother Boardman rests 
from all his toils. The last scene of his life 
was an affecting one. As he felt his last days 
approaching, his desires to see his flock among 
the Karens became so great that he set off to 
meet them at one of their villaores. In his 
weak emaciated state, he could only be carried 
on a litter, bat he arrived in safety. They 
flocked around him, and the last Sunday which 
he spent on earth was in their midst. Brother 
Mason, by the aid of Mrs. B., who speaks 
Burman, and a Burman who speaks the Karen 
language, examined and baptized thirty-four. 
The next day they commenced their return to 
Tavoy, and within half a day's journey of his 
home, having bequeathed his beloved charge of 
precious souls to brother Mason, our lamented 
brother closed his eyes on all earthly scenes. 
As it was said of his divine Master, " having 
loved his own he loved them to the end," so it 
might be said of him, having loved the dear 
flock Christ had given him, he loved them to 
the end. 

Journal. Feb. 17th. — After breakfast, the 
native Christians began coming to see us. They 
expressed much joy at seeing new teachers. 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 41 

We found a house on the Mission-premises 
ready for our reception, now occupied only by 
Mrs. Mason who is daily expecting to go to 
Tavoy. 

Feb. 25. — Commenced the study of Bur- 
man with the assistance of Ko Myat Kyan, a 
native itinerant preacher who is here for a 
short time. The greater part of the sounds in 
this language are entirely different to those of 
the English, consequently, I am not able to 
make them at first, but hope that I shall learn 
them in time. 

March 4. — This evening I have walked out 
to look about me a little for the first time, and 
visited a small pagoda in our vicinity. Its 
base is rectangular; a few feet from the ground 
it assumes an octangular figure, and terminates 
in a conical richly-gilded spire. In anat-house 
adjoining, are three images of Gaudama, larger 
than life, made of tile, painted and gilded. To 
. these works of their own hands, (one of them 
but half finished,) the poor deluded Budhists 
were bowing down in the dust, and presenting 
offerings. My heart was so pained at the sight, 
that I felt no inclination to stop and examine the 
idols. 

4* 



42 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

*' March 6lh, Sunday. — Attended worship at 
the chapel this morning and evening. In the inter- 
val, met to receive the Lord's Supper with the 
Burman church. It was an interesting season 
to me. There is something striking in the atti- 
tudes which the natives of the east assume in 
prayer. They sit on mats on the floor ; and 
when about to pray, throw themselves forward 
on their faces which they cover with both 
hands. 

*' March 13th. — Commenced a Sunday-school 
for the boys of the regiment. Thirteen came 
this morning. 

"March 30th. — Brother and sister Mason left 
us this evening, and went on board a brig bound 
to Tavoy. Thus are my parting scenes renewed 
from time to time. Three soldiers have been 
baptized this evening by brother Kincaid. 

*' April 3d. — Mee Mo, one of the boarding 
school girls, was baptized to-day. There is 
much seriousness in the school. I often hear 
the girls praying as I pass the school-house. 
My Sunday-school flourishes beyond my expec- 
tation. 

'* April 9th. — After having studied pretty regu- 
larly upon it for a month, I have at length fin- 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 43 

ished what is called the Them-bong-gee or 
Burman spelling book, consisting of the sylla- 
bles, combinations of letters, <Lc. The Burman 
alphabet consists of thirty-two letters. Some 
of them appear to be sounded precisely alike. 
Others differ only in being with or without an 
aspirate. 

" April 17th, Sunday. — I have a new scholar 
almost every week. My present number is 
eighteen. I generally have as many as thirteen 
at a time. 

" April 20th. — While I was sitting with the 
Burman girls this afternoon, one of the Budhist 
priestesses came in. She has been two or three 
times to Mrs, Wade to inquire concerning the 
religion of Jesus, and wishes to learn to read. 
We have taken three new scholars into the 
boarding-school to-day. I have designated one 
of them for the ladies in Lowell, who gave me 
money for the support of one. Mr. Wade has 
an inquirer at his zayat every day. He is a 
young man, interesting in appearance. 

" April 26th. — The inquirer mentioned on the 
20th has to-day requested baptism. He says 
that he firmly believes the Christian religion to 
be true ; that every thing appears new and 



44 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

wonderful to him, and that there is but one alloy- 
to his new found happiness : His forefathers 
have died, and his friends still live, in error and 
delusion. He seems much affected with the 
astonishing love of Christ. There are three or 
four other native candidates for baptism. 

"Sunday, May 1st. — Brother Kincaid baptized 
three soldiers, and brother Wade two Burmese 
women. I have often felt a peculiar animation 
in looking around on an assembly as they stood 
on the river's brink to see this ordinance per- 
formed ; but to stand amid a crowd of heathens 
on such an occasion, and see two, regardless of 
the contumely and revilings of their friends and 
neighbors, going down into the water before 
them all, and being baptized in the name of 
Jesus of Nazareth ; a name as much despised 
and hated here, as it was among his own coun- 
trymen in the days of his incarnation, was a 
novel and intensely interesting situation. 

"May 29th. — An accession of eight has been 
made to the churches in this idolatrous, licen- 
tious city to-day ! The wives of three ser- 
geants, three soldiers and two Burman women. 
Thus God is graciously encouraging us, though 
our Budhist rivals do set up a shout of triumph 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 45 

over us every week as they pass brother W's. 
zayatin their priest-making processions." 

Extract of a letter dated Maulmain, July 
7th, 1831. 
«t ]3ear : 

" You have probably heard of our pleasant 
voyage across two oceans and our safe arrival 
at the metropolis of British India. Before 
this reaches you we hope also that you will 
have heard of our comfortable settlement in 
this far-distant land ; distant from our native 
shore, the endeared scenes of our childhood 
and youth, and from all the beloved friends 
whose society has, for so long a period, cheered 
our path through " time's dark wilderness ;" 
yet as near to heaven, the Christian's dearest 
home ; as near to God, the purest source of 
happiness, as the lovelier and more highly 
favored land of our birth. 

*' Here we are, on Burmah's heathen shore, 
surrounded by thousands, and tens of thousands, 
who have never heard the word of life. We 
see all the populous country which still belongs 
to the king of Ava, involved in the gloom of a 
religion whose highest reward, and the most 
cherished hopes of whose votaries, centre in 



46 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JOXES. 

annihilation, enlightened only by the few rays 
which brother Judson is enabled to scatter by 
means of tracts and portions of scripture giv^n 
to visitors from various parts of the country at 
Rangoon, who receive them with great avidity. 
Still nearer to us, are thousands of Talings, 
enslaved to the same cold and cheerless faith 
who are waiting for the glorious doctrine of the 
cross. The Karens, a people scattered all over 
this vast peninsula, having no religion of any 
kind, are flocking in much eagerness to our mis- 
sionary stations to receive one, which, accord- 
ing to a tradition prevalent among some of them, 
is to be given to them by a people coming from 
the west." 

Extract from a letter dated Rangoon, July 
29th, 1S31. 
''Beloved : 

'* You will see by the above date that we 
have changed the place of our residence, and 
are now within the dominions of his ' golden 
footed majest}'.' After much deliberation, and, 
I trust, sincere petitions for divine guidance, we 
have thought it best for the interests of the mis- 
sion to locate ourselves here, at least for a few 
months. We were joyfully welcomed by 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 47 

brother Judson, who is very anxious that this 
station should not remain unoccupied. He 
stayed with us until the Tuesday evening follow- 
ing, and then embarked for Maulmain where his 
presence is indispensable to the operations of 
the press. 

" Poor Ko Thah Ay, the native pastor, who 
has been faithful and zealous in the midst of 
much persecution, is now greatly discouraged 
and almost ready to follow brother Judson to 
Maulmain, through fear of his life. Moung 
En would not dare to labor in the public way 
he does, were it not that, being a citizen of 
Maulmain, he is a British subject, and can claim 
protection, or go away, whenever he meets 
with any trouble. When we consider the va- 
riety of artifices resorted to by the petty magis- 
trates to alarm them ; the reproach, derision, 
hatred and insult which they constantly suffer 
from their relatives, neighbors and countrymen 
of every class, it seems to me wonderful that 
any among them continue as faithful as they 
do." 

Journal. ''July 24th, Sunday. — Through 
the exertions of Ko Thah Ay, about twenty 
were present at worship. They were not all 



48 MEMOIR OF MRS, E. G. JONES. 

members of the church ; two or three are in- 
qmrers ; one, an old man who has come from 
a neighboring town to introduce his son to the 
Woonghee. 

" August 20th. — To-day I have taken a walk 
to the great pagoda ; the far-famed Shway Da- 
gong, about two miles from the city. You may 
find a description of it in Mrs. Judson's me- 
moirs. But no pen can accurately transfer to 
an American imagination the confused assem- 
blage of grotesque objects with which it is sur- 
rounded. Now think of the many thousands of 
pagodas, zayats, kyoungs, and images which 
encircle this one city, with their huge ornaments 
of lions, crocodiles, peacocks and other animals, 
many times larger than life ; add to this the im- 
mense expense of making and keeping in repair, 
bridges and roads leading to them, through a 
marsh, from almost every gate, and the main- 
tenance of thousands of priests, who not only 
live in luxury, but grow rich on the liberal offer- 
ings of their followers; recollecting too, how 
short a time buildings, images, bridges, roads, 
(fcc, last in this country of dilapidation and de- 
cay ; and tell me what portion of the Chris- 
tian community can furnish a parallel of zeal 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 49 

and devotedness, in sustaining the cause of 
Jesus ! 

" August 28. — Received letters from America, 
Bombay, &c. Through the mercy of our 
heavenly Father, our beloved relatives were, at 
the last dates, all still living and in good health ; 
but several other friends have bid adieu to 
earthly scenes. Good Dr. Cogswell, so lon^ 
th^ kind friend of my father and family, and the 
benefactor of his race, has passed, followed 
by his affectionate Alice, into another, and I 
trust, a happier state of existence. Sister 
Hervey too is gone. Dear Eliza ! Can it be 
that she has taken her upward flight without 
even entering on those employments which she 
contemplated with so much pleasure, and for 
which she seemed so eminently qualified I 

Truly 

" God moves in a mysterious way, 
His wonders to perform." 

"August 31st. — Full moon ; the most distin- 
guished worship-day in the month. After sunset 
I walked with Mr. J. to the pagoda. After as- 
cending the terrace steps, between two huge 
lions, found myself surrounded by as complete a 
scene of enchantment as I ever witnessed 
5 



50 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

Around the large, splendidly gilt idols, hundreds 
of small wax candles, (some of which were run 
into forms resembling flowers and other fanciful 
figures,) were burning. The carved railing 
which surrounds the open temple in which these 
idols are enshrined was decorated with various 
sorts of beautiful flowers ; and stands, covered 
with nat-ofFerings, were placed here and there 
about the terrace. The area was occupied by 
men, women, and children, some moving about 
among the fairy scenery, some standing to chat, 
and others reverently kneeling, with bouquets of 
flowers raised above their heads between the 
palms of their hands, before the pagodas and 
images, muttering their prayers. The males 
have ample garments of gay colored silk ; the 
females attired in white muslin jackets over 
striped silk petticoats, wearing golden necklaces 
and ear ornaments, and their shining black hair 
decorated with flowers. Ah ! what attractions 
has the humble, simple religion of Jesus to draw 
the idolator away from such imposing scenes ? 
The heart must be radically changed by divine 
grace before we can expect it to give up a reli- 
gion so congenial to its carnal nature. 



I 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E, G. JONES. 51 

Jlxtr act from a Utter dated Jiug, 30, 1831. 

" The spirit of inquiry respecting the christian 
religion continues to spread among the people. 
'Scarce a day passes in which we are not visited 
by some persons, either inhabitants of the city, 
or strangers from the interior, who come to 
receive tracts, or converse on the subject. 
Moung En is, as far as we can judge, a zealous 
advocate for the truth, and often gives them an 
abstract of the Christian doctrines in a very short 
interview. Though the precious seed seems to 
produce little fruit at present, we hope that it 
will not be lost. God has promised to bless his 
truth, and from him alone we expect the bless- 
ing. Meanwhile it is ours to labor, and pray, 
and watch closely our own deceitful hearts, that 
we undertake nothing, and wish for nothing, 
but with reference to his glory. This is to me 
the most difficult part of missionary duty. 

" Brother J. is now on a tour to visit the 
Karens in the jungle, who are increasingly 
anxious to hear the truth. My little Burman 
school flourishes quite as well as I can expect, 
under all its disadvantages. We have lately 
established another for country-born children, 



52 MEMOIR OF MRS< E. G. JONES. 

part of the expenses of which will be paid by 
the parents." 

''Rangoon, Sept. \lth, 1831. 

" My dear, dear 

" Wherever I rove, my heart's dwelhng 
place is at home — that home where we so long 
dwelt together ; and sometimes, when I reflect 
that I am probably to return to it no more, the 
thought is almost insupportable. At other times 
I chide myself for mourning a separation which 
is so momentary, wonder at my unbelief in the 
promises of God, and am enabled to rejoice in 
the hope of meeting most of my nearest and 
dearest kindred, in a world where our sweetest 
intercourse shall know no interruption. Sur- 
rounded as I am by strangers and heathens, 
without a female companion, and without a 
friend except my dear Mr. J., it would be strange 
indeed if eternal things were not invested with a 
reality before unfelt. Ah ! I have seen enough 
of the world to know that all below is " vanity 
and vexation of spirit." I find human nature 
much alike among all races of men, under differ- 
ent garbs, and behold the inhabitants of every 
clime emphatically spending their money for that 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 53 

which is not bread, and their labor for that 
which satisfieth not, from the votary of fashion 
and slave of gold in civilized lands, down to the 
poor heathen who spends his all in the erection 
of a pagoda or the purchase of an image. 

" Since I have been in this place 1 have had 
some views of my own ignorance, helplessness 
and vileness, which have filled me with shame 
and confusion. I also feel some ardent desires 
daily, not so much that I may be extensively 
useful, as that I may be conformed in heart and 
life to the image of my Saviour ; that I may be 
assisted to discharge, with fidelity and simplicity 
of mind, the duties which devolve upon me from 
day to day ; and that I may be enabled to glorify 
God — that holy and glorious God whom I pro- 
fess to serve, among all with whom I have inter- 
course. O my dear sister, are we sensible of 
the negligence and ingratitude with which we 
treat this Almighty friend? Could we thus 
treat a beloved earthly one ? Is it not wonderful 
that those who have once had a precious season 
of communion with God should not strive to 
dwell constantly in his presence ? How can a 
christian ever love the world after he has had 
opportunity to contrast its tasteless pleasures 
5* 



54 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

with those joys which living near to God 
inspires ?" 

Journal. ''Oct. 8th. — An inquirer who has 
visited us frequently for the last month, seemed 
to-day to have his mind much agitated concern- 
ing its future destiny. He does not like the 
idea of separate spirits, and asked me whether 
God would not permit his soul to return to his 
body after death, if he should implore it very 
earnestly. I told him that his body would become 
corrupt immediately after death, and unfit for 
the residence of his spirit ; that at the resurrec- 
tion God would cause a more glorious body to 
arise from the dust of his old one ; and endeav- 
ored to illustrate my meaning by the simile of 
the transformation of a crawling worm, to a 
beautiful, soaring butterfly ; asking him why he 
should prefer returning to a body which must be 
confined to earth, and subject to sickness, death, 
and innumerable evils, rather than to take a new 
immortal body capable of soaring away through 
the celestial regions, and enjoying eternal happi- 
ness. Mr. J. also read to him the latter part of 
the 15th chap, of 1 Cor. ; but he seemed still to 
be unwilling to give up praying for permission 
to return to his old tabernacle. 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 55 

"Oct. 16th. — The Hindoo festival is not yet 
over. Now if all this pageantry were any thing 
but a religious ceremony, one might smile with 
contempt on the childish folly of the poor Hin- 
doos ; but when we consider that this is the wor- 
ship of their gods — a worship substituted for 
that adoration and love which they owe to the 
supreme Jehovah, the author of their being, and 
that it is all the religion they know, the heart 
experiences a pang of distress unknown by 
those who have never witnessed such sights. 
"How shall they hear without a preacher ?" 
is a thought which has been revolving in my 
mind, and wringing my heart almost to agony. 

"Oct. 18th. — Last night the brahminical festi- 
val terminated, and truly the closing uproar sur- 
passed all that preceded it. It seemed as if the 
inhabitants of the infernal regions had broken 
loose, and forcibly reminded me of Bunyan's 
description of the army of Diabolus, the last time 
it attacked Mansoul. 

"Oct. 21st. — Budhist worship day. In the 
evening the streets were illuminated by rows of 
small candles, or lamps, placed in front of every 
Burmese dwelling. Moung En says, " they are 
lighting their God, he is so dark." 



56 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

Extract from a letter dated Oct. 23d, 1831. 

O how sweet will the heavenly rest be, after 
dwellmg in such a place as this ! Yes, my 
beloved sister, it will indeed be sweet to meet 
there, after all the toils, the trials, and painful 
separations of life shall be over ; and sweet, even 
now, is the reflection that in a few days these 
shall have passed away, and be to us but ' as a 
dream when one awake th.' O that we might be 
made the instruments of blessing some of the 
wretched beings around us, with these glorious 
hopes ! O that we might take some of them 
with us to those happy regions. 

Journal, December 16th. The twenty -fourth 
chapter of Job was read at our morning worship, 
and I was very forcibly struck with its applica- 
bility to the people of this land. It is a graphic 
description of the present state and character of 
the Burmese. 

January 29th, 1832. Mr. J. made his first 
attempt at preaching in the Burman language. 
As we expected to leave Rangoon in a few days, 
it was a farewell address. It was a very affecting 
scene to me, to see my little flock assembled 
around us, probably for the last time, until we 
shall meet at the judgment-seat of that Saviour 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 57 

whom we have been endeavourmg to make 
known to them. 

February 1st. Our things were all sent on 
board the brig Sophia before dinner, and when 
the house was clear and the bustle over, the boys 
and girls all came into the room where I was, 
seated themselves on the mat in a semi-circle 
around me, and covering their faces with their 
hands, and bowing them to the ground, made 
their last sheks. It was too much. I burst into 
tears with them : they followed me down to the 
wharf, where I left them weeping ; and getting 
into the boat, bade Rangoon adieu. 

Maulmain, February 7th. We arrived at the 
mouth of the river, off Amherst, on the 4th, took 
a boat and were rowed up once more in the night. 
We took up our residence in a house which 
brother Kincaid has purchased. But a few 
months have elapsed since sister K. came to re- 
side in it, little thinking that she should so soon 
be called to exchange it for the *' narrow house 
appointed for all living." 

Extracts from letters dated March 4th, 5th, 
and2lst, 1832. 

. " You see that we are again at Maulmain. We 
are much more pleasantly situated here, in many 



58 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

respects, than we were at Rangoon. I dread the 
temptations to which I shall be exposed. The 
news that God is blessing, in such a wonderful 
manner, the churches of our native land, ani- 
mates and cheers our hearts. Oh ! what privi- 
leges do you enjoy ! May Christians be enabled 
to improve them wisely, and begin to perceive 
that to be Christians is their highest honour; 
and that to sustain their character, as such, is 
the most important purpose for which they live. 
'' Alas ! for poor Bur m ah ! Her sons are en- 
thralled by a triple despotism. Their rulers, 
their priests, and their own native pride of heart, 
all forbid them to listen to the humiliating doc- 
trines of the cross, and cause them to shut their 
eyes on the few rays of light which are already 
dawning upon them. The redemption of a single 
soul is precious, and we rejoice that one here, 
and another there, is affected by the truth, and 
comes out from among his fellows, and professes 
the name of Jesus ; but we long to see the mul- 
titudes who now throng the roads to the pagodas 
and idol temples, going up to the courts of our 
God. We long to see the time, the labour, and 
the wealth, which is now lavished with such 
profusion on an idolatrous service, turned into a 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 59 

channel which could not fail to make the wilder- 
ness to rejoice, and the desert to blossom as the 
rose. 

" Brother Judson is now visiting the Karens 
up the river. A chief came down in a boat to 
invite him. Brother Mason has recently made 
a very interesting tour among the Karens east of 
Tavoy, and baptized thirty-five. He found those 
families which had previously received the gos- 
pel, in a very pleasing state. 

" I was very sorry to leave Ran- 
goon, particularly on account of my little school, 
but I hope my labours, limited as they were, will 
not be altogether in vain ; I am the mote encour- 
aged to hope this, from a circumstance connected 
with the Sunday school which I kept on my first 
coming into the country, for the boys of the 
forty-fifth regiment. One of these children came 
to see me the very first day of my arrival at the 
cantonment, and brought with him his mother, 
who told me that the conversation of her son, 
and the books I had lent her, had been the means 
of her conversion and that of her husband. The 
boy, she said, would often stop, when about to 
do something wrong, and say, * I must not do 
that, Mrs. Jones says it is not right.' After he 



60 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

had persuaded his mother to go to chapel, he 
never ceased importuning his father until he 
succeeded with him too. Subsequently they 
have both been baptized, and brother Kincaid 
says, are among the best members of the church. 
The boy has lately gone to live with an officer, 
and is now, I am told, importuning his master and 
mistress to go and hear the gospel preached, hith- 
erto without success, however, though the lady 
has promised to go, and the gentleman acknowl- 
edges he cannot answer the child's arguments." 

Extract from a letter dated Maulmain, May 
4th, 1832. 

''Much is said here about self-denial. The 
self-denial that I wish to practice is this. When- 
ever I feel a spirit of indolence stealing over me, 
to devote myself immediately to some profitable 
employment; when in the society of worldly 
people, to check the desire of pleasing them, and 
endeavour only to please God. When enjoying 
social converse with Christian brethren, to deny 
myself the mean gratification of talking about 
the faults of athers, and to converse only on 
such subjects as will be likely to profit them and 
myself. When tempted to spend money for 
such things as are unnecessary, and which will 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 61 

only serve the gratification of pride and vanity, 
to devote that money to the cause of Christianity 
among the heathen. When I feel an inclination 
to visit pleasant acquaintances or dear friends, to 
stop and consider whether there is not some duty 
which I ought rather to perform to the poor and 
miserable. When the daily vexations of life 
harass and disturb me, to check the risings of 
impatience in my heart, and forbear to utter an 
angry or fretful word ; and whenever the hand 
of God is laid more heavily upon me, and my 
favourite schemes and best plans are interrupted 
by sickness or domestic affliction, to subdue all 
murmuring, discontented and distrustful thoughts, 
all sinful regrets of past blessings, and apprehen- 
sions of future sorrows, and surrender myself 
and all that I have, for the present and future, 
• into the hand of God, without reserve or alarm. 
This is a species of self-denial, which I find ex- 
ceedingly difficult to practice, and one which re- 
quires constant and unremitted diligence, as well 
as firm decision of mind." 

Extract from a letter dated Maulmain, Sep- 
tember 2lst, 1832. 

'' You will doubtless learn, before this reaches 
you, that we are leaving this country for Siara. 
6 



62 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

I have not a doubt of its being my duty to go ; 
and this I consider no small happiness. I hope 
God has some design in sending us there, which 
will promote his glory : and I sometimes have 
faith that I shall yet be permitted to do something 
for the poor heathen. The Siamese language is 
said to be the easiest of acquisition in India, and 
if my health permits, I shall hope to learn it 
faster than I have the Burman. But when I 
meet with the little native church here, and 
enjoy the luxury of hearing its members pray 
and converse, I am very loth to leave this favour- 
ed spot in tlie desert of idolatry. Last Sunday 
week I had the pleasure to see Mr. Jones bap- 
tize five European soldiers, and one country-born 
young man, and Mr. Judson two Tahngs and 
two Karens. Among the spectators were Eng- 
lish, Scotch, Irish, American, Portuguese, Chi- 
nese, Peguese, Burmese, Karen, and Madras 
people. When shall all these become one fold 
and have one shepherd ? 

''I have taken a last walk to the principal 
pagoda of this place. Dozens of images have 
been added since my last visit. My heart sick- 
ened at the sight, and I turned to look an the 
beautiful works of that God whose glory these 



I 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 63 

infatuated people are giving to another. The 
hill on which the pagoda stands is a lovely spot, 
commanding a view of the river winding among 
the opposite hills, the town on its bank, and the 
cantonment just beneath. The sentiment of the 
apostle in the first chapter to the Romans, came 
irresistibly to my thoughts ; " The invisible 
things of Him are clearly seen," &c., '* so that 
they are without excuse," ifcc, and the idea was 
too painful to dwell upon. 

" Sept. 24th. — We are now on our way down 
the river, and expect to be once more at sea to- 
morrow. Yesterday we took leave of our kind 
friends and missionary associates at Maulmain. 
Amid such continual wanderings, it is cheering 
to reflect that there remaineth a rest for the peo- 
ple of God. It will be sweet to the weary 
traveller. 

Journal. " Sept. 28th. — To day, while I was 
lying in my cabin, hstlessly looking over some 
newspapers, the following lines met my eye : 
"Jesus, I my cross have taken, 
All to leave, and follow thee ;" 

and so powerfully arrested my attention as to 
indttce me to lay down the paper and meditate 
upon them. Where is the cross which I have 



64 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

taken ? If I except the painful separation from 
my friends, it would be difficult to find it. To 
follow Jesus 1 In comparison with his, mine is 
a life of luxury and ease. Measured by his, 
my labors for the welfare of my fellow men are 
not worth the name. But I will not attempt to 
describe my feelings. For a time they were 
almost overwhelming, and my desires and 
prayers to follow Christ, not only in name, but 
in the laborious, self-denying, humble reality, 
were most fervent. 

Journal. "Oct. 13th. — On awaking this 
morning, we found ourselves safely moored in 
Penang harbour, on the east side of Prince of 
Wales island. I received a note from Mrs. Got- 
leib, wife of a very gentlemanly sea captain 
whom we had seen at Maulmain, inviting us to 
take up our residence at her house, during our 
stay at Penang. We accepted the polite invita- 
tion and were scarcely seated in her spacious 
mansion, when Mr. Dyer, one of the London 
Society's missionaries came to see us. He and 
his colleague, Mr. Beighton, with their families, 
were invited to drink tea with us this evening; 
and very pleasant it was, to find ourselves in 
such a circle of christian friends ; for fellow- 



« 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G, JONES, 65 

missionaries are not long strangers in a land like 
this. 

" Oct. 26th. — This evening I have had the 
privilege of meeting w^ith our dear christian sis- 
ters for prayer, principally on our account, as 
we expect to sail in the course of a day or two. 
It was a pleasant hour, 

*' Oct. 30th. — Last evening we left our hospi- 
table friends, and embarked in the Hamet Shaw, 
bound to Malacca and Singapore. Brother and 
sister Dyer, and Captain Gotleib came on board 
with us, and after singing the beautiful hymn, 
"O'er the gloomy hills of darkness," (fee, and 
uniting in prayer, we bade each other farewell. 
Penang is more like England and America than 
any other place I have seen in India. It is true 
that its perpetual summer leaves no place for 
fireside comforts, and there is much to remind 
us that we are not in our own cultivated, enlight- 
ened land, but there are no continual rains as in 
Burmah, and no sultry, breathless days as in 
Calcutta. 

" Nov. 3d. — Anchored this evening in Malac- 
ca roads, and Mr. J. has gone on shore to deliver 
his letters and reconnoitre. 

'* Nov. 4th. Sunday. — Mr. J. came last eve- 
6* 



66 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

ning, and this morning took me on shore to the 
Ando-Chinese College, where we were cordially 
welcomed by Mr. Tomlin, and by Mr. Hughes, 
missionary to the Malays. We attended divine 
service at the old Dutch church, where Mr. H. 
officiates as chaplain pro tempore. He read the 
service of the Church of England, and Mr. J. 
preached. In the evening we went to the mis- 
sion chapel, where Mr. J. preached again in 
place of 3Ir. Tomlin. 

"Nov. 6th. — Visited the Chinese female 
schools, five in number, containing about sixty 
girls, who are learning to read Chinese, trans- 
lating it into ^Nlalaya, the language generally 
used by them. Miss Wallace, a young lady 
from England, superintends these and the Por- 
tuguese female schools. Probably no missionary 
station in the world offers a more inviting field 
for native schools than [Malacca. They might 
be multiplied to an extent limited only by the 
population, if means and suitable teachers could 
be procured. There are more than three hun- 
dred Chinese boys in day schools at the college, 
under the charge of ]\Ir. Tomlin. 

" Nov. 9th. — This evening we came back to 
our ship, and sailed immediately for Singapore. 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 67 

*' Nov. 11th. — After passing numerous groups 
of small islands, covered with verdure, anchored 
at Singapore. 

Extract from a letter dated Singapore^ 
December M, 1832. 

'' You will probably have heard, before this 
reaches you, of our departure from Burmah,and 
arrival at this place. Here, we are residing with 
Mr. and Mrs. Thomson, of the London Society, 
and have little prospect of obtaining a passage 
for Bangkok for several months. I am happy 
to say however that we have obtained a Siamese 
teacher, and are learning a little of that language 
every day. Mr. J. has an opportunity of 
preaching the glorious gospel, not indeed to the 
heathen, but to those for whom it will be less 
tolerable in the day of judgment, if they repent 
not : to those who, after having been educated 
in the knowledge of God and his word, have 
either cast off all restraint, and live in open 
impiety, or are so wholly engrossed with the 
affairs of this life, as almost to forget that they 
have souls to be saved. 

While we wish to be contented with the sta- 
tion allotted us by providence, and gratefully to 
receive all the temporal comforts and social 



68 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

privileges bestowed on us here, we yet long to 
be again more immediately engaged among the 
heathen, and shall hail with gladness the first 
intelligence of an opportunity to proceed to 
Siam, though it is represented to us as a most 
undesirable station on every account except the 
most important one — that of doing good." 

Extracts from letters dated Singapore^, Feb. 
2^th and 27th, 1833. 

" When I look on the multitudes of poor 
creatures of various nations around me, and see 
them hastening onward to eternity with a lie in 
their right hand, I am astonished at my own 
apathy, and wonder that I can do any thing but 
Aveep and pray for their conversion to ehristiani'- 
ty. My thoughts often recur, with much affec- 
tion, to the little prayer-meeting where we were 
accustomed to meet so frequently, to mingle our 
intercessions for these poor benighted ones, and 
to implore blessings on our own souls. What a 
gratification would it be to me to take my seat 
among you once more ! On earth this privilege 
may never be allowed me ; but, through atoning 
mercy, I do anticipate a joyful interview in those 
glorious mansions where prayer shall be ex- 
changed for praise. There should it be my hap- 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 69 

py lot to introduce to you a little company 
redeemed from heathenism, through the instru- 
mentality of your united, persevering prayers, 
how shall we adore the grace that permitted us 
to be associated on earth for such a delightful 
purpose. Let us then, my dear sister, fix our 
gaze, more and more intently on this delightful 
prospect, as we hasten nearer and nearer to it, 
and forget, in its increasing brightness, the petty 
cares, toils, trials and enjoyments of earth. 
Whether our few remaining days be spent on 
christian, or on heathen soil, matters little, if 
they be devoted entirely to Him w^ho died to 
purchase for us such an ' exceeding and eternal 
weight of glory.' 

" We are at length apparently on the eve of 
departure for Bangkok; and although it is an 
opportunity which we have long desired, we go, 
after all, with some fear and trembling. Not 
that we have any anxiety respecting the ultimate 
success of our cause, for we know that God has 
decreed that all nations shall come and worship 
before him, and we believe that proud Siam will 
sooner or later be made to bow to the sceptre of 
Emmanuel. Not that we fear trials, privations 
and possible persecutions, for we are assured that, 



70 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

in this world, the children of God '* shall have 
tribulation" wherever they maybe located. But 
we shrink from the fearful responsibility which 
rests upon us as pioneers in such an important 
expedition. In view of it, I lose all confidence 
in myself or in the wisdom of men, and if it 
were not a cause which we believe God him- 
self has promised to sustain, neither of us 
could, I am sure, proceed a step farther. I 
have been reading the gospel with the special 
design of studying the character of Christ as a 
missionary; and am more than ever convinced 
that a close imitation of his example is not only 
the course prescribed to his followers, but also 
the most politic and promising one which could 
be devised. His principal work seems to have 
been that of preaching the gospel to the poor ; 
administering at the same time, to their tempo- 
ral necessities, and, with admirable patience, 
bearing with their infirmities, listening to their 
complaints, and answering, with the utmost 
. kindness, their numerous requests. I do not 
find that he ever sought the patronage or favor 
of the noble and the rich ; neither can I dis- 
cover that he once slighted their invitation, or 
refused to join in their feasts. To rich and 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 71 

poor, high and low, the righteous and the sin- 
ner, he appears to have been always doing 
good, as he had opportunity ; never compromi- 
sing his dignity among any class, or descending 
beneath the level of his proper station ; and 
never suffering those around him to forget, for 
a moment, his great business of turning them 
to righteousness, and saving their souls. In all 
these things I conceive his followers are bound 
to imitate him ; but who can equal his untiring 
zeal, his inexhaustible patience, his deep hu- 
mility, his continual prayerfulness ? AVho can 
walk in the midst of an evil and perverse gene- 
ration, with their hearts in heaven, as his was ? 
Who can feel the love for precious souls, that 
he did ? After all our strivings, how far short 
do we come ? Yet these strivings after perfect 
conformity to his likeness, I believe, to be the 
most important means to be used by a mission- 
ary, in order to ensure success and the approba- 
tion of his Master." 

Journal. *' After a pleasant sojourn at Singa- , 
pore, of more than three months, we left that 
place on the last day of February, in the 
schooner Reliance, accompanied by R. Hunter, 
Esq. On our way we anchored at three ports 



72 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

on tlie coast of the Malayan peninsula. I went 
on shore at only one of them, the town of 
Tringano. On the r2th of March, Mr. Hunter, 
who is acquainted with the Eajah of the place 
and surrounding territory, went ashore, accom- 
panied by the captain, to trade. Having occa- 
sion to send some of the ^Malays on board, they 
carried back to the Rajah a report, of having 
seen a lady and •' little white child with a white 
head;" in consequence of which, his highness 
requested !Mr. H. to exhibit us on shore the 
next day. We could do no less than accept 
such an invitation ; and accordingly paid him a 
visit. He is an independent chief; but is 
obliged to pay an annual tribute of a golden 
tree, to the despot of Siam, in order to prevent 
his hereditary dominions from being wrested 
from him, and his people are now employed in 
beating out the leaves for it. 

As this was probably the nrst time Tringano 
was ever visited by a European female, we 
were objects of great curiosity. The boys 
waded out from the shore, as far as they could, 
to peep into the boat ; and on our way to the 
palace, we found the people ranged on each 
side of the road, and the windows filled with 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 73 

heads to gaze at us. I thought of an election 
day at Hartford. We went first to a govern- 
ment building, termed, by Mr. Medhurst, the 
custom-house, where we found the Rajah seated 
in his arm-chair. He is a mild looking man, 
and received us courteously. Cocoa-nut water 
was given us here, and a bottle of milk brought 
for the little white girl. After sitting some time 
with him, his royal highness signified his plea- 
sure that we should go to the palace to be intro- 
duced to his wives and children. Mr. J. was 
not allowed to enter the women's apartment, 
but went, with the other gentlemen, to an 
adjoining one, to partake of an excellent repast 
cooked in the English way ; while Rebecca and 
myself were ushered into the presence of the 
royal ladies and their attendants, amounting to 
more than a hundred ; some seated on the floor, 
so as to fill one half a large hall, on the other 
side of which an arm-chair was placed for me. 
Others were crowding round the door, and 
others peeping through the crevices in the board 
walls. Our dress was an object of great curi- 
osity. Every part of it underwent an exami- 
nation. I had learned so little of the Malayan 
language, that I found it difficult to converse 
7 



74 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

with the ladies. My little girl's ayah, however, 
made a pretty good interpreter. Coffee of supe- 
rior flavour was served up in beautiful China 
cups on massive golden trays, and sponge cake, 
fried plantains, dates, and a variety of sweet- 
meats, in cut glass dishes. Fruits, and lastly, 
betel in boxes of wrought gold, were also set 
before us. 

From the Rajah's palace we went to that of 
his brother, where a similar scene presented itself, 
and three silk dresses were given to me and R. 
The sun was too hot to allow me to walk out 
to see the town at all, and we returned to the 
Reliance, much fatigued, yet gratified with our 
day's adventure, and with a much more favour- 
able opinion of the inhabitants of this coast, than 
we had entertained before we visited them. 

Extract from a letter dated Bangkok^ Siam, 
March 2Sth, 1833. 

My beloved , 

It is with feelings of intense interest, if not 
of ardent gratitude to our Heavenly Father, that 
I now seat myself in a comfortable cottage on 
the banks of the Meinam, to inform you of our 
safe arrival in the country to which we have 
been so long looking, as the field of our future 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 75 

labours, and to reach which, we have for six 
months been travelling about in these eastern 
seas. But how shall I express, in adequate 
terms, the loving-kindness of our God to us all, 
during this period ? We have been preserved 
from all dangers and accidents, during three 
voyages along a dangerous coast, and have 
found warm-hearted friends at every stage of our 
journey. 

R. Hunter, Esq., is almost the only European 
merchant who trades here, and having resided 
here most of his time for several years, is tho- 
roughly acquainted with the inhabitants, their 
language, manners, customs, &c., and has 
kindly granted us much assistance. We found 
the U. S. Sloop of war Peacock here, with Mr. 
Roberts, diplomatic agent of our government. 
This gentleman has shown us not only the 
politeness we might have expected from a 
fellow countryman, but manifests all the kind 
solicitude in our welfare which an affectionate 
relative could bestow. Hearing of our arrival 
at the mouth of the river, he immediately sent a 
letter to Mr. J. with an invitation to us to take 
up our residence with him during the few days 
he expected to remain. We accepted it for a 



76 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

day or two, and received from himself and die 
gentlemen who were with him, the utmost hos- 
pitality, and when we removed to our present 
habitation he supplied us with rice, fowls, and 
other articles to commence house-keeping with, 
besides some valuable presents. Our house is 
just built by the Portuguese Consul, Senhor 
Carlos Da Silveira, who seems solicitous to 
make us comfortable in every respect, and with 
one or two other Portuguese gentlemen, has 
oiFered us his friendship, and any assistance 
which along residence here may enable them to 
confer. We know not yet what our prospects for 
usefulness may be in Siam. All our confidence 
is, however, in Him who has promised that all 
the kingdoms of this world shall become the 
kingdoms of our dear Redeemer. 

The Chinaman whom Mr. GutzlafF baptized, 
came on Sunday to worship, and read the scrip- 
tures, and prayed with four of his countrymen in 
our verandah. They have been accustomed to 
meet for this purpose every Sunday since 
brother Abeel left. A missionary for the Chi- 
nese is much needed here. One is expected 
soon from the Netherlands Missionary Society, 
to succeed brother Gutzlaff. 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 77 

Mr. Roberts has concluded a commercial 
treaty with his Siamese Majesty, which will be 
returned here after its ratification by our Presi- 
dent. 

Journal. ''April 8th. — Re-commenced the 
study of the Siamese language to-day with 
Clin, a native, who was once at Singapore, em- 
ployed there at the mission press for a short 
time. After his return he cast a fount of tolera- 
ble type, and commenced printing, for which 
proof of his ingenuity he received the honorary 
title of 'the king's little dog.' Every thing 
connected, in the remotest degree, with his 
Majesty, is honorable. 

"April 14.- — We are frequently visited by 
Burmans, to whom Mr. J. has had several 
opportunities of reading and giving tracts, con- 
versing with them upon their contents, and the 
principles of the gospel. The Prah Klang's 
second son, and a few other Siamese, visit us 
occasionally. I shall close with a copy of a let- 
ter received to day by Mr. J., from the chief 
priest of the Prah Klang's temple. 
"My dear,— 
" I hear you come to Siame and healing sick 
men and teach men. I am glad to you. I wish 



78 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

to find you when you have peace, I will go to 
your house. Yo, 

"Prah Amramolee." 

Extract from a letter dated Bangkok^ June 
bth, 1833. 

My dear , 

It has once more become my pamful duty 
to leave a land which I regarded as my home, 
and, (with the exception of my husband and 
child,) all whom I had previously known and 
loved, to resume my wanderings o'er the mighty 
deep, and finally to enter another heathen country, 
and commence anew my Missionary work, 
among a people of strange language, habits and 
manners. In this extensive city are congregated 
people, speaking as great a variety of languages, 
perhaps, as those which wrought confusion at 
the tower of Babel. 

We hope not to be long without associates ; 
^ome of our christian brethren at home, will, 
we are confident, soon come over and help us. 
Could they behold the degraded, miserable con- 
dition of our fellow-citizens of all classes, real- 
izing at the same time what blessings God has 
promised, when all nations shall come and wor- 
ship before him, I am sure they would hasten to 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 79 

proclaim the glad tidings of Jesus' love to these 
ignorant idolaters. We talk of our own sacri- 
fices, privations and trials, and certainly they 
are neither few nor light to us who have known 
the blessings of civilized life ; yet our situation, 
even in regard to temporal comfort, is far pre- 
ferable to that of the poor creatures around us ; 
and when we think of our hopes for eternity, the 
presence of God with us on earth, and all the 
varied enjoyments conferred upon us by Chris- 
tianity, we feel that the distance between us and 
them is immeasurable, and are led to entreat 
earnestly for them the like precious faith. 
Nothing but the light of revelation will ever 
scatter the moral and mental darkness which 
broods over this people. When that day dawns 
upon them, they will rise to civilization and 
happiness. 

Extract from a letter dated Sept, Sth, 1833. 

We feel that we are exiles from our native 
land, our beloved friends, the religious privileges 
we once enjoyed, and even from civilized life. 
Especially on the return of this day, on which 
we have been accustomed weekly to worship 
God in the assembly of his saints, do we realize 
our painful separation from all who know and 



80 MEMOIR OF MRS. T. G. JONES. 

lore our Saviour. When we look around on 
those among whom we dwell, and feel what it is 
to live in the midst of "a people of unclean 
lips,'' we are ready to cry with Israel's psalm- 
ist, '• My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for 
the courts of the Lord.'" I am now reading the 
Psalms in course, and tind them sweeter and 
more appropriate than ever before. I was not 
sensible of the frequency and fervour of David's 
complaints of wicked men. and the misery of 
livinof with them. What a holy indignation 
does he manifest against sin, and how patheti- 
cally does he lament his lot in witnessing it ! 
And if David, though a sinner himself, was dis- 
tressed by the conversation of the wicked : if even 
my heart, polluted as it is, can be pained by 
witnessing the moral depravity of my neigh- 
bours and fellow citizens, and feel it to be a 
calamit}'- to dwell among them, what must our 
holy and blessed Saviour have endured while 
sojourning with publicans and sinners, an exile 
from all the glories of heaven ■ It is a trans- 
porting thought, that our object, in being resi- 
dents among the heathen, is to lend our litde aid 
in carrying on the noble work which he began 
on earth : and if, throusrh our instrumentalitv, 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 81 

the knowledge of that salvation which he died 
to purchase for the degraded beings around us, 
may be communicated to one soul, and be blessed 
to his conversion, we shall count it all joy to 
live and die among them. How cheering is the 
thought, that the time is coming when all the 
superstition, deceit, oppression, cruelty and 
misery of this unhappy land, shall be melted 
away before the bright beams of the Sun 
of righteousness. The promise is sure — may 
the Lord hasten its accomplishment. 

Journal. "Oct. 17th. — I told a Burman 
woman I would go to her house to day, if she 
would meet me at the village wharf, which she 
promised to do. I went according to appoint- 
ment, and not finding my guide, entered a zayat 
near the river, where I saw some boys at play ; 
and sitting down on a stool which I had brought 
with me, asked them if they could read. They 
pointed to one in the priest's dress as the only 
scholar, and, on his manifesting some reluctance 
to obey my call, seized him by both arms and 
dragged him to me, to read the tracts which I 
held in my hand. I soon learned from them 
that no efforts were made to teach any of the 
rest, and that they were left to spend their days 



82 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

in play and idleness. On asking them if they 
wished to learn to read, a large boy answered in 
the affirmative. I then asked how many wished 
to learn. One more expressed a desire to do so, 
and then another and another. What ! only 
four, I replied ; if ten or twelve wish to learn, I 
will come here and teach you, but I will not 
come for four. The zayat now began to fill 
with men, women and children, drawn by curi- 
osity to see the white stranger. One of the 
women said, **it is a woman." " No," said a 
man who came with her, '^itisaman;" and 
immediately seated himself by me with much 
familiarity. Another said, " it is the doctor." 
No, I replied, I am the doctor's wife. This 
answer seemed to give gi'eat satisfaction to the 
women, who were no longer afraid to enter the 
zayat. They then asked if I could read, and 
begged to hear me. I told them I would, but 
they must all sit down quietly and listen. An 
old woman undertook to keep order while I read 
to them a short account of the true God and 
Jesus Christ, with some moral precepts from 
two of the tracts which I had with me. Some 
of them listened attentively, and asked many 
questions about the eternal God. One asked if 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 83 

he was Gaudama or Cathapa, (a budh who is 
said to have preceded Gaudama.) I answered, 
no, he is a God of whom the Burmans have 
never heard, but who made them, and all things. 
After reading- and talking to them a little, I 
directed all the children who wished to learn to 
read to stand in a row. A few of them obeyed, 
and I then turned to some others who stood near 
me, and asked if they did not wish to learn. 
'* They are girls," replied several of the women. 
I told them that was no reason why they should 
not learn ; that I taught boys and girls both at 
Rangoon, but all in vain ; nothing which I could 
say was sufficient to make them comprehend 
such a strange thing as a girl learning to read. 
The number of boys on my list having increased 
to ten, I bade them come to the zayat to-mor- 
row, and I would teach them ; and then returned 
to my boat, thinking what a different errand I 
had accomplished to what I intended. 

" Oct. 18th. — Went again to the zayat, and 
found but two of my ten boys ; a poor prospect 
for a school. An old woman urged me so hard 
to go to her house, that I consented, and, by 
her direction, was rowed and dragged by my 
boatmen through bushes and among trees and 



84 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

houses all standing in the water, till we reached 
a miserable hut, in which I found an old man 
whom she said was her husband. He could 
not see to read my books, but listened attentively 
while I read, and asked many questions. The 
neighbours soon came in, and filled the little 
room, and I told them, as well as I could, the 
good news we had come to bring them. 

" Oct. 19th. — Met with a young priest at the 
Burman village to day, who was troublesome 
and disposed to mock. He soon went away, 
however, and his place was filled by an old 
priestess who listened very attentively to what I 
said. Some more women and an old man were 
attentive also, and wished me to stay longer; 
so I told them I would go again on Monday and 
take more books. 

" Oct. 21st. — Went again to the zayat, accord- 
ing to promise. The old priestess soon made 
her appearance, and before many had assembled, 
asked me to go to her house which was near. 
Many followed me in, mostly women, and I 
read a good deal to the most attentive circle I 
have met with among them. I asked one man, 
where Gaudama's disciples would go after death. 
He replied that some, especially those who 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 85 

committed murder, would go to hell, and the 
rest would '' take nigban." No, said I, that is 
not true, for your own sacred books say that no 
person can obtain nigban unless he gives away 
in religious offerings, all his goods, his children, 
his wife, and even his own life. An intelligent 
looking woman answered, "yes, that is true ; 
Wathandria (the name of Gaudama in his last 
state before taking nigban,) made all those offer- 
ings, and nobody can take nigban without doing 
so." They wondered much to hear of Jesus, 
and began to say to one another that he must be 
Areemedayah, (the budh who is yet to come.) 
Bangkok, Ocfr, 27th, 1833. 

My dear , 

At the close of 's letter, I was obliged 

to communicate the mournful intelligence, that 
death had entered our little family, and taken 
from us our only son, our dear little Henry Grew. 
For more than three months our affections had 
been entwining themselves about him, and it 
was painful to give him up ; yet when I am dis- 
posed to murmur, and to ask " why has God 
thus dealt with me ?" every unsubmissive thought 
is silenced by a reflection on the perfect wisdom 
and goodness of God, and my own desert of 
8 



86 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

punishment, and need of the refiner's fire. "Shall 
we receive good at the hand of God, and shall 
we not receive evil?" The blessings we have 
received have indeed been great ; and I dare not 
call the removal of my darling boy from a world 
replete with sin and sorrow, and especially from 
a part of it in which he would have been assailed 
by temptation in every form, an evil. To him, 
I trust, it is a great mercy ; and my dear father 
will not forget to pray that it may be made the 
means of making me more fit for heaven. Since 
his decease I have been able to visit the Burman 
village almost daily. As the rainy season is not 
yet over, it is overflowed with water, so that I 
cannot go about much among the houses ; but 
there is a good wooden zayat near a small wharf 
which affords a cool shelter for me. Here I sit 
for an hour or two, and soon find myself sur- 
rounded by scores of people, eager to look at 
me, and to hear a woman read. As the men are 
usually gone to their daily employments before I 
arrive, my congregation consists mostly of wo- 
men and children. Sometimes, however, I meet 
with men, who take my books, and read to the 
people for me, occasionally stopping to ask ques- 
tions concerning the new doctrines. Some of 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 87 

them appear really interested in the story of Jesus, 
and seem disposed to believe in and worship the 
eternal God of whom I tell them. May God 
bless his own word to the salvation of their pre- 
cious souls. I find it the most delightful em- 
ployment in which I have ever been engaged. 
Yet I am sensible that I am totally unworthy to 
be employed, even as an instrument, in commu- 
nicating the knowledge of God and our blessed 
Saviour to those who have never before received 
it, and often fear that a blessing will be withheld 
from my efforts, through the pride and selfish- 
ness which are mingled with them. 

I am keeping a journal of the incidents I meet 
with in these visits, for my sisters, who, I think, 
will be interested in them. Mr. J. is very busily 
engaged in the study of the Siamese language, 
which he can now speak and understand suffi- 
ciently for common purposes ; but it is quite a 
different thing to be able to converse intelligibly 
on religious subjects ; this requires much previ- 
ous study, and a pretty extensive acquaintance 
with Siamese books. He is searching for a 
teacher in the Peguan language, thinking he can 
pursue both advantageously, as the mind requires 
some change in its employments, and most of 



88 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

the Peguans speak Siamese, although unable to 
read it. 

Journal. Nov. 6. — Witnessed the burning of 
the dead body of a Burman priest, for the first 
time. It took place in front of a temple, which 
is situated in the midst of a beautiful grove. No 
adequate description of the scene can possibly be 
conveyed to one who has never witnessed the 
heterogeneous rites of heathenism. The body, 
which had been kept nearly a week, and which, 
notwithstanding the previous process of embalm- 
ing, was very oifensive, was enclosed in a kind 
of sarcophagus made of wood, covered with 
white paper, and fantastically ornamented with 
natural and artificial flowers, together with gilt 
and colored paper, and placed on a platform of 
bamboos. A large quantity of white cotton cloth, 
a gift to the surviving priests of the temple, was 
hung round it ; and soon after my arrival a train 
of girls carried to the spot, a great variety of 
offerings, designed to gratify the appetites of the 
same lazy fraternity. Mats were spread about 
on the grass, and some women whom I knew 
led me to one of them, where I had not sat long 
before the music began, and a small space near 
being cleared for the purpose, a man arid two 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E, G. JONES. 89 

women entered it and began to throw their limbs 
into all manner of contortions. The man, who 
in face and figure, seemed intended by nature for 
a buffoon, was dressed in a long straight gown 
of dirty brown satin, brocaded with very large 
blue and white flowers, and was certainly as 
good a representation of a visiter from the lower 
world as I ever expect to see in this. A similar 
scene in which he was the principal actor, was 
afterwards exhibited in another place with the 
addition of a dialogue intended as a comedy. 
You would have turned from him, as many others 
did, to the spot where two white strangers were 
seated, one surrounded by a circle of men, the 
other of women, listening to the novel tidings, 
that there exists a God who made them, and a 
Saviour who has died to bring " life and im- 
mortality to light," for sinful dying men. 

As soon as all the priests, to the number of 
seventy or eighty had arrived, the corpse was 
taken down, thrown out of its coffin on the 
ground, and had water poured over it by some 
inferior priests, to wash off the spices, etc., 
with which it had been covered. It was then 
replaced, after a quantity of wood had been put 
underneath the scaffolding ; and about a dozen 
8* 



90 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

cords, attached to the coffin, were carried to 
trees at a considerable distance, in two different 
directions. At the extremity of these cords a 
large rocket was placed underneath, or within 
various figures ; for instance, a pasteboard tiger, 
a small pagoda, wax images, etc. These being 
sent off in succession, whizzed along the cords 
with tremendous fury ; some driving through the 
coffin, and others exploding with such violence 
upon the funeral pile as to send the sticks of 
wood flying in all directions. When they were 
all finished, the mutilated body was left to be 
consumed by the fire which had been kindled 
under it. 

Nov. 12. You do not know what genuine idle- 
ness is in America. With the exception of the 
Chinese, who transact nearly all the business of 
this great city, there is not one in a hundred, man 
or woman, who will lift a finger to do any thing 
more than is barely sufficient to keep them from 
starving. They will sell their wives and children 
sooner than work. The Laos people who reside 
here are beggars by profession, and they are not 
alone in their vocation. We often try a stout 
healthy man or woman, by proposing to them 
some little job of work, but never succeeded in 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 91 

a single instance. Three or four Malays came 
one day, to whom I promised the rice they 
begged, if they would row my boat to the Burman 
campong. To my astonishment they'consented, 
but, while I was putting on my bonnet, they 
disappeared. 

A man's rank in Siam, is made known to the 
public by the number of his servants. They 
buy slaves, whom they half starve, or feed on 
black rice or dried fish ; and as they have nothing 
for a great part of them to do, except to row their 
boat on great occasions, they permit them to go 
about the city begging. The abominable custom 
of selling children prevails so extensively that we 
cannot get boys to row our boat, or for a boarding 
school except we buy them, which we cannot 
think it right to do, even for their own benefit. 
A woman considers a family of daughters quite 
a fortune ; for the men are obliged to buy their 
wives, and if one is too poor to pay the price 
demanded, two or three purchase and possess 
one jointly ! Great men, on the contrary, have 
many wives. The king has four hundred. The 
Prah Klang, forty. Such is the present state of 
social life in Bangkok, and the subject might be 



92 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

enlarged upon without coming under tlie head 
of travellers stories. 

Dec. 8. Eighteen hundred years have rolled 
away since' our blessed Saviour said to his dis- 
ciples, " Go teach all nations, baptizing them in 
the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of 
the Holy Ghost;" yet, not until this day have 
the waters of the noble Meinam, which, during 
that period, has wafted millions of precious souls 
on its bosom, and on whose banks successive 
generations have lived and died, been divided in 
obedience to this command. Our Chinese bro- 
ther Bun-Ty, whom we have often mentioned 
to you as the person instructed in religion, by 
brethren GutzlafF and Abeel, and afTused by the 
former, led the way and was followed by two 
of his countrymen, whose souls he hopes God 
has given him as the reward of his labors, and 
whom we pray, may be his crown of rejoicing 
in the day of the Lord Jesus. Had nothing more 
been accomplished by brother G's. three years 
residence here, than- the conversion of this single 
man, who can say that he came in vain ? And 
who can estimate the result of his labors ? In 
regard to B. T's. change of sentiment respecting 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 93 

the mode, Mr. J., had read to him brother Gutz- 
lafF's own translation of the word baptism, into 
Siamese, which can mean nothing but immer- 
sion ; and he thought proper to set the example. 
Mr. Jones administered the ordinance, using the 
Siamese language. 

December 15th. Had the pleasure of receiv- 
ing to the Lord's supper, the three China-men 
who were baptized last Sunday. Bun-Ty first 
read the scriptures in Chinese, after which Mr. 
J. administered the sacrament in Siamese, giving 
thanks in English. B. T. sa^ed much affect- 
ed, and our two brethren were very attentive, 
and solicitous to learn from him, all that Mr. J. 
said. Unto Him who is able to keep them from 
falling, we commend them, as they grope their 
dangerous and solitary way, in the midst of a 
crooked and perverse generation ; hoping that 
some obedient and more privileged disciple of 
their and our Master, will soon be here to hold a 
torch to their benighted feet. 

December 20th. You will rejoice with me 
when I tell you that I have at last finished the 
Siamese dictionary, the arrangement and copying 
of which, has been my chief business in that 
language, for nearly a year past. It contains 



94 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

many thousand words, and though it is imper- 
fect, and will require much correction hereafter, 
I hope it may be useful. 

December 25th. I lay on my couch, think- 
ing of the great event which this anniversary 
brings to mind, and again resolving the painful 
question, why is it, since Jesus died to save 
sinners, that so few have ever heard his name ? 
I cannot impeach the blessed Saviour, while his 
written word contains the oft -repeated injunction 
to his disciples, to tell the world his love. 
Where then does |j|e blame lie ? Let christians, 
living amid all the luxury of religious and civil 
privileges, answer. 

" This morning a total eclipse of the moon 
was visible here, and we were awaked about two 
o'clock, by the beating of drums and tom-toms, 
firing of guns and crackers, ringing of bells, 
jingling of brass bowls, and various other equal- 
ly musical noises, which our neighbors were 
making, to drive off the evil spirit. He proved 
very obstinate, however, and kept his hold of 
the luminary so long as to tire them all out. Be- 
fore her beams began to re-appear, they left her 
to her fate, and all was quiet again. 

December 31. The year is gone! Of the 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 95 

joys and sorrows which it has brought to my 
beloved sisters and friends in my native land, I 
know nothing. Equally ignorant am I of the 
events which, during its progress, have been 
transpiring in the civilized world. And when I 
turn to myself, and inquire what I have done, I 
feel that '' it is an humble thing to be a man." 
How little would the mightiest energies of man 
effect on the hearts of the heathen ! What, then, 
can / do ? I have left my native land, and 
separated myself from dear friends, over whose 
memory my heart yearns sometimes almost to 
bursting; and what have I done for these poor 
creatures among whom I live ? How very little 
does God permit me to do for his cause ! Yet 
when these thoughts distress me, I endeavor to 
check them, for I seem to hear Jesus saying to 
me, in the words of Foster, *' Because mightier 
laborers would have been requisite to effect all 
that you wish, will you therefore murrnur that I 
have honored you, the inferior, with the appoint- 
ment of making a noble exertion ? Be grateful 
that all the work is not to be done without you, 
and that a God employs you in that in which he 
also is employed. Go to your labors ; every 
sincere effort will infallibly be one step more in 



96 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

your own progress to a perfect state : and as to 
the cause, when I see it necessary for a God to 
interpose in His own manner, I will come." I 
wish I could as plainly hear Him saying, " She 
hath done what she could." Pray, my dear 
sisters, that the blood of Christ may wash away 
the spiritual sloth and insensibility of your affec- 
tionate sister, Eliza. 
Bangkok, March 2d, 1834. 
My Dear, 

The little girl, on whose birth you kindly 
congratulated me, is, through the tender mercy 
of our heavenly Father, "still spared to be the 
solace of our hearts in this far land," where I 
have now passed a year without seeing the face 
of any other white female ; but a dear little son 
who shared our affection and care nearly three 
months and a half, has been taken from us, and, 
as we hope, joined your lost darling, in a world 
where sin, temptation and sorrow shall never 
assail him. 

The unusual excitement which you mention 
as existing in your vicinity in regard to some 
doctrines, which I agree with you in calling 
non-essential, is, I think, to be lamented. Could 
I embody my thoughts on this subject in Ian- 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 97 

guage adequate to express them, and make my 
voice heard through the privileged christian com- 
munity of my beloved native land, I would gladly 
answer your question : '* How does this sound 
in a heathen country ?" O that those followers 
of Jesus who can find no subjects more import- 
ant to the cause of their blessed Master than 
these, on which to employ their thoughts, 
talents, conversation and pens, in their own 
favored land, would immediately leave it, and 
come over and help us. We will set them down 
in the very midst of thousands of precious souls 
for whom Christ has died, and point them to 
scenes of vice and misery, which it will make 
their hearts sicken to behold, and which nothing 
but that gospel which He, who saved us by his 
blood, has commanded to be preached to every 
creature, can relieve. Here, I venture to pre- 
dict, they would, with mutual consent, leave 
their unimportant differences till their entrance 
on that state, where we shall know, even as we 
are known, and unite their efforts in the mighty 
work before them. 

A little assembly of twelve or fifteen China- 
men meet at our house every Sunday for 
worship, in their own language, which we do 
9 



98 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

not understand, and have no time to learn. 
Most of them are gradually leavmg off their 
idolatrous and immoral habits. One of them 
made a profession of Christianity, under the 
instruction of our predecessor, brother Gutzlaff, 
and two others have been baptized by Mr. J. 
These three, with one or two more, we hope 
are truly pious, and our hearts long to see some 
christian missionary in their little congregation, 
who shall be able to teach them the word of 
God more perfectly. The one who was the 
first convert, reads the scriptures to the rest, and 
explains them as well as he can, often coming to 
Mr. J. with questions concerning them, which 
he answers in Siamese, as well as their mutually 
imperfect knowledge of that language will enable 
him to do. They have the bible and many 
excellent tracts in their own language, and pray 
and sing together, when they assemble on Sun- 
days. We have distributed a great number of 
tracts here, in the Chinese, Siamese, Burmese, 
Malay and Portuguese languages; and hope, 
by the next arrival from Burmah, to have some 
for the Peguans, who are daily asking for them. 
We are sometimes ready to wish for the primi- 
tive gift of tongues, that we might show this 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 99 

mingled people the way of salvation, and per- 
suade them to turn from their vanities, to serve 
the living God. Yet when we contemplate their 
character, propensities, and habits, we feel that 
though we had the tongues of men and of angels 
we could hope to prevail nothing. We have no 
hope for them but in that Spirit which can infuse 
life into the dead. For the descent of that Spirit 
upon us, O let christians pray. 

Journal. May 7th. — A little rain makes the 
miserable foot-paths in this country so impassa- 
ble, that I can no longer go by land to the Bur- 
man village, and am entirely dependent on our 
boat, which method of going about I dislike for 
many reasons, one of which, is the awkward 
method of getting on shore, which is generally 
by a kind of ladder, the steps of which are from 
two to three feet apart. One day when I was 
going to the village, I was obliged to cross 
another boat to reach my own, which was a mere 
canoe. Not being fastened, as I supposed, as 
soon as I set my foot upon it, it floated off, and 
left me plunged in the river between the two. As 
the other boat was too high for me to reach its 
edge, I should probably have been drowned, if 
one of our Chinese servants had not been on the 



100 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

spot to catch my arm as I rose to the surface. I 
feared he would be obliged to let me go again, 
for he could not draw me up the side of the boat 
alone, and though there were fifteen or twenty 
of his countrymen within call, not one of them 
would leave his work to go to his assistance ; 
and Rebecca's ayah was obliged to set her down 
on the boat, at the risk of her falling overboard, 
to help him pull me in. Every one here, of full 
age, is supposed capable of taking care of him- 
self, in every emergency, in the water or out ; 
and if he is not, he may perish before he will 
get any assistance. As we were coming up in 
the river one day, we saw a sail-boat upset in the 
middle of the stream, and a man clinging to it, 
and Mr. Jones was obliged to reiterate his com- 
mands in a very decisive manner, before he could 
make our boatmen row towards him. They kept 
saying, " he is a man," — and by the time we 
reached him, he had turned back his boat, sail 
and all, and was in no need of assistance. I 
have seen a man, before our door, beset by three 
or four dogs, within sight of at least a dozen 
people, not one of whom went near him until he 
was thrown down and sadly bitten. 

May 9th. — In one of the last periodicals 



MEMOIR or MRS. E. G. JONES. 101 

which we received from America, it is stated 
that liars in Siam have their mouths sewed up. 
If it had been affirmed that those who speak 
truth are subject to such a penalty, we should 
have found it difficult to disprove the charge ; for 
it would probably take some time to find such a 
person, to ascertain whether his mouth was 
sewed up or not. English traders who come 
here say "truth would choke a Siamese." 
Mr. Hunter, who has long known all classes 
here, says he never found but one honest man in 
the empire ; and that very man we have proved 
to be an unblushing utterer of falsehoods. 

"May 21 St. — This evening have been favoured 
with a spirit of prayer, and felt my affections 
drawn out in supplication for all the world, espe- 
cially that the triumph of Christ may be per- 
fected in the earth. His wondrous love in giv- 
ing his life a ransom for sinners, filled my 
thoughts, and inspired some ardent desires for 
his name to be glorified, and his cause extended. 

May 30th. — We have been vainly expect- 
ing to see some fellow laborers here, for four or 
five months. I felt this to be a trial, while I 
enjoyed the society of my dear husband and 
9^" 



102 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

child ; now they are separated from me, and 
several days have passed smce the one fixed for 
their return, without my hearing any thing from 
them. In my desolateness, however, I am pos- 
sessed of one blessing with w^hich I would not 
part for the highest earthly enjoyment — the 
privilege of casting all my care on God, wdth the 
firm assurance that he will deal with me, and 
those I love, in the wisest possible manner. 
Some of my lonely hours have been passed hap- 
pily in reflecting on the love of Jesus, the glo- 
rious mansions he has prepared for all his chil- 
dren in his own blissful presence, and the rich 
promises he has left us in his word — '* In the 
world ye shall have tribulation, but in me ye 
shall have peace. There is no man who hath 
left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or 
mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my 
sake, and the gospel's, but he shall receive," 
&;c. Is it indeed for Christ's sake, and the 
gospel's, that I am placed in my present situa- 
tion ? is a question which I frequently ask my- 
self. Sometimes I venture to believe it is, and 
the thought of being, in the smallest measure, 
partaker in His sufferings, is transporting." 



MEMOIR OF MR?. E. G. JONES. 103 

Bangkok^ June Sth^ 1834. 
My dear Father : 

The first petition which I ever breathed to 
heaven for my beloved first-born, that she might 
be permitted to praise the God who gave her to 
me, before his eternal throne, is now, I trust, 
angwered. In closing my last to you a few 
weeks since, I mentioned her illness, and that of 
her father ; and that both were then on the point 
of leaving me, to try the air at the mouth of the 
river. He returned perfectly restored ; but she, 
though apparently invigorated while outside the 
bar, immediately relapsed on coming again 
into the vicinity of Bangkok, where the atmos- 
phere is very deleterious at this season of the 
year, and sunk rapidly. I spent the twelve 
days of their absence in loneliness and anxiety, 
yet not without much enjoyment of the presence 
of God. I was led to reflect on my past neglect 
of prayer and meditation on divine things ; on 
the culpable indulgence I had given to unprofit- 
able, earthly, selfish thoughts, and on my 
insensibility to those great blessings which God 
has promised those who live near to him ; and 
I felt that he had not only a right, but would act 
the part of a judicious parent toward me, if he 



104 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

should take from me my child. I tried to say, 
" Father, if this cup may not pass from me, 
except I drink it, thy will be done ;" but the 
very thought was agony. Yet whenever I tried 
to pray for her life, and to promise a closer 
walk with God, if my petition might be granted, 
my too conscious heart told me it would not be 
so. It was necessary that she should be taken 
from me, as the only means of bringing me back 
to God. And so firmly was the impression 
riveted on my mind, that, combined with my 
experience of the inefficacy of all the means I 
could use to overcome her complaint, it caused 
me to receive her with anguish when she was 
restored to me from the ship. 

I was enabled to throw myself into the arms 
of Jesus, and to enjoy the happiness of entire 
submission to the will of God. I felt that He 
could not do wrong, and had such a sense of all 
His goodness to me, especially in giving me the 
hope of salvation by Jesus Christ, that I rejoiced 
to give up my dearest comforts to him, and only 
praise and adore the mercy which had not left 
me in the wretched condition of the heathen 
around me. Life seemed but a moment, eterni- 
ty a blessed reality — Heaven with all its glories 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 105 

was opened to the view of faith, and I exulted 
in the glorious anticipation of soon enjoying, 
with my dear child, its transporting visions ; of 
seeing face to face that dear Saviour who died 
for us, and of bowing with her, and her departed 
brother, in humble adoration at his feet. Since 
that time, I have not had one wish to recal her ; 
and when her father and I sat by her dying pil- 
low, watching her last struggles, amid all our 
anguish, we could not but speak of the blessed- 
ness of sending, as it were, before us, two little 
cherubs to praise our blessed Saviour in that 
worM where sickness, sorrow and death can 
never come. On that doleful night how much 
did we wish for the presence of our dear father, 
that we might hear from your lips those precious 
consolations which you have so often adminis- 
tered to the afflicted. We closed her eyes on 
the morning of the»sixth instant. 

Thus you will learn, my dear father, that God 
has again placed us in the furnace. A furnace 
hotter than it is wont to be heated. But though 
it will be long ere its flames will cease to scorch 
us, Jesus is walking with us in it. We thank 
our heavenly Father that he loaned us the pre- 
cious gift so long ; for all the comfort and hap- 



106 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

piness which we have enjoyed in her society, 
and for all the solace she has been to us in our 
long separation from other friends ; and now we 
rejoice that his will is accomplished in her re- 
moval. We have minor considerations, too, 
did we need them, to reconcile us to her early 
departure. From what a world has she fled I 
Had she lived, it must have been amid great 
temptations, constantly exposed to sin and suf- 
fering ; and she might have passed her life in 
alienation from God, and at last gone where 
hope can never come. Now, her polluted soul, 
washed, we trust, in the blood of the Lamb,* has 
escaped all these fearful risks, and is safely 
landed on the shores of immortality. All that 
remains for us in this afflictive dispensation, is 
carefully to see that the purposes for which it 
has been sent, fail not of their accomplishment 
in our own souls. That it may make us more 
humble, more holy, more fit for our Master's 
work on earth, and for his more immediate 
presence above, my dear father will not cease to 
pray. 

We have, at length, been permitted to welcome 
to this remote station, our long expected brethren, 
Robinson and Johnson, with their wives and 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 107 

infant children. Our joy at seeing the faces of 
fellow christians and fellow laborers, after so 
long an interval of loneliness, is not small, and 
is heightened by some of them having had an 
interview Avith yourself. 

September 4th. — I have resumed my visits 
to the Burman village, and find my women as 
desirous of christian instruction as ever. They 
have renewed their request for me to read and 
talk to them every Sunday, which I try to do. 
On my way, I find good opportunities for dis- 
tributing tracts, and sometimes for conversation. 
We have a very small Chinese day school on 
our premises, taught by Bun-Ty, and our friend 
Luang Nai Sit has lately sent us two boys, as 
the commencement of an English boarding 
school. I instruct them myself, and have some 
prospect of adding to their number. I believe 
Mr. J. has completed his Elementary Catechism 
of Geography and Astronomy in Siamese, since 
I wrote last. This, and his translation of a 
small Burman tract, containing the most import- 
ant christian doctrines, we hope to get printed 
before many months have passed." 

Writing to a female friend, (October 17th,) she 
remarks : — 



108 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

Those who first enter a missionary field have 
not the animating prospects and pleasing variety 
of employments, which is experienced in joining 
a long established mission. Picking out a stone 
here and there, that others may hereafter be able 
to sow seed, is quite a different thing from help- 
ing more experienced laborers to reap the 
harvest. We have the pleasure to see a few 
seeds springing up among the surrounding 
rubbish, it is true, for our three Chinese breth- 
ren continue stedfast ; and about fifteen others 
meet regularly to worship with them, but the 
weeds grow thickly around, and threaten to 
exterminate them. 

Journal. September 28th. — After reading 
to the Burman women as usual, I went to see 
one of my most regular listeners who was detain- 
ed at home by illness. She has had a cancer, or 
something very much like it, growing on one 
corner of her mouth, ever since I knew her. As 
I entered her hut, she told me that her disorder 
could not be cured, and that she must die. I 
said, '' where will you go when you die ?" She 
answered that she did not know, but added, 
"I pray to Jesus Christ every night." Her 
husband, a grey haired old man, who was sitting 



MEMOIR OF Mils. E. G. JONES. 109 

on the floor near us, said to me in a peculiarly 
serious and affecting tone, " I am seventy years 
old, yet I do not know what will become of me 
when I die." I then tried to explain to them, 
in as simple a manner as possible, the importance 
of repentance and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, 
and the wickedness of worshiping idols. The 
woman disclaimed such worship entirely. I 
know not that I ever felt stronger desires for the 
salvation of any individuals, than I do for these 
two poor ignorant old people. 

It is afterwards added, " This woman died a 
christian." 

"Nov. 13th.' — I must take a few minutes to 
describe to you, though in an imperfect manner, 
a scene which I witnessed this morning, within 
a very short distance of our house. A scene in 
which our deluded Chinese and Siamese neigh- 
bours seemed all engrossed. A number of 
priests were sitting on a zayat belonging to their 
temple, , repeating Pali sentences. All around 
them were vessels of hot boiled rice; bowls, 
containing all sorts of Siamese delicacies, 
covered the floor for a large space. In one cor- 
ner were a company of musicians with their 
instrumentvS, with which they had been annoying 
10 



110 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

US the whole night. On the other side of the 
pathway, under a large shed, three intensely hot 
fires were burning, blown by Chinese smith's 
bello^vs. In these, the people were melting old 
brass utensils, such as trays, bowls, spitting 
pots, &c., to gild four clay images, which they 
were baking in the furnaces behind the fires. 
These, consecrated by the sti'ing of blessing 
which was attached to the furnaces, carried 
across the path and passed through the hands of 
all the priests in the zayat, were destined, when 
finished, to be their gods; objects of worship, 
before whom rational beings were to bow their 
heads in the dust ! And in the glorious work, 
the people seemed intoxicated with zeal ; bring- 
ing ofijerings to the priests, contributing their 
share of old metal, seizing an opportunity to 
have a stroke at the bellows, &;c. ; while the 
women volunteered their services to deal out 
the viands into the priests' pots, which the infe- 
rior part of the fraternity took care to bring in 
sufiicient numbers to receive all the good things. 
Surely, 

" Satan binds their captive minds, 
Fast in his slavish chains." 

It would seem that without some diabolical 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. Ill 

influence exerted upon it, the human mind could 
never stoop so low. 

Bangkok^ Jan. Sd, 1835. 

My dear : 

After the various occupations and distract- 
ing cares of the day, it is pleasant to sit down at 
evening calmly and silently to converse with 
those dear friends with whom I once enjoyed a 
happier intercourse in a lovelier clime. My 
friends seem more endeared to me by absence, 
and the interest which I feel for my native 
country increases with every fresh arrival. 
What rich blessings our Heavenly Father is 
showering upon you ; and, through you, on 
many other poriions of our revolted world. The 
Missionary Herald for 1833 and 4, is full of 
absorbing interest. I could scarcely leave off 
reading it to attend to my necessary avocations. 
I seemed to be visiting fellow missionaries in 
every part of the globe, and beholding them 
simultaneously attacking the empire of Satan ; 
penetrating into some of his secret corners, and 
bringing out to the light many of his hidden de- 
vices ; and imagination beheld the day fast 
approaching, when the kingdoms of the earth 



112 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 



shall 



his 



become 
Christ. 



the kingdom of our Lord and of 



But when the vision passed away, and left 
me to look, in sober reality, on the region which 
surrounds us, the subject assumed a different 
aspect. If the heart of the christian is thrilled at 
the contemplation of the efforts which are now 
making for the conversion of a world, what is to 
become of the millions who yet lie buried in the 
unbroken darkness of heathenism ? Christian 
philanthropy and active zeal must be increased 
in a rapid ratio, to meet their pressing wants, or 
many generations must go down to the grave 
without the light of the gospel. It will increase^ 
for we have an immutable promise that all shall 
know the Lord, and divine inspiration has said, 
" how can they hear without a preacher, and 
how can they preach except they be sent? " 

When my little boy died, one of our own ser- 
vants made his coffin, and another carried him 
to his lowly bed. One lovely daughter still 
remained to solace us a little while, and then 
rend our hearts by a severer stroke. Since her 
death, I have felt more than ever, that my home 
is in heaven, and that this life, in its darkest, as 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 113 

well as its brightest moments, is but the road to 
it, and will soon have been all traveled. 

Bangkok, March 22rf, 1835. 

What shall I, what can I render to the Lord 
for all his mercies ? In the language of dear 
Mr. Cornelius, whose interesting memoir I ana 
now reading, I may say, " many and wonderful 
have been the vicissitudes of my life, but when 
I look back I can say, in view of what God has 
done, Oh, my mercies, my mercies !" 

April 5th. — I have received much encourage- 
ment to day from a portion of one of Mr. Corne- 
lius' letters. Many times have I " been ready to 
shrink back, and to say. Lord, I pray thee, have 
me excused ;" but if God should honour us by 
permission to '^ Idij foundations,^^ foundations 
for his church in Siam, whose wretched inhabit- 
ants have groped, for so many ages, in the dark- 
ness of heathenism, we &hall have reason to 
praise him through all eternity, for having em- 
ployed us in such a service. Over and over 
again have I been obliged to say to myself, 
"that the only way of doing anything to pro- 
mote a great object, is to try and try again, and 
when one plan fails, to resort to another ;" and, 
if God spares my life, I am resolved ** to keep 

10* 



114 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

on trying till my work is done." But, my dear 
sister, you can hardly form an idea of the mate- 
rials we have to work upon. Acquaintance 
with them drives us to entire dependence on the 
influences of the Holy Spirit. There is all our 
hope and it will not fail us. 

Bangkok, July 6th, 1835. 

My very dear : 

I feel a strong desire to converse with you 
a little this evening in my loneliness, and tell 
you something of the goodness of God to me. 
Brother and sister Johnson, who have been with 
me during the absence of my beloved husband, 
removed to their new house, in another part of the 
town, ten days ago. Brother and sister Robinson 
were already living at the same place. I am 
consequently alone, as it respects society, and 
feel, m.ore than ever, my entire dependence on 
God for protection. Even the Portuguese sol- 
diers, on whom I placed some reliance, when 
alone last year, are all dead except one, and he, 
of course, does not attempt to keep guard alone 
during the night, so that the cheering voice of 
the watchman is no longer heard. My Almighty 
Protector, however, keeps me from feai' of evil. 
His mercy, also, still spares to me my darling 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 115 

son, though, two weeks ago, I expected this 
letter, like some which have gone before 
it, wonld have been obliged to tell a tale of sor- 
row and bereavement. One evening, at sunset, 
the little fellow was playing about the floor as 
usual, making the house ring with merry sounds, 
and before midnight became so ill that I trembled 
for his life. He was violently attacked with 
what I supposed to be the cholera, and I imme- 
diately resorted to laudanum and the warm bath, 
hot flannels, &c., which, after some hours, 
cheeked the progress of the disorder ; but the 
next day a fever came on, attended with a bad 
bowel complaint, and his head was dreadfully 
affected. Two nights, I gave up all hope of 
his recovery, and was enabled to resign him 
calmly to Him who gave him. The kind atten- 
tions and sympathy of brother and sister J , 

during the day, were very soothing. He has 
since recovered, and I feel as if he was a fresh 
gift from God. I have been able to study 
Siamese daily with a teacher, besides attending 
to my pupils at home, and establishing a small 
day school at some distance from our dwelling, 
which I visit two or three times a week. It is 
true this is very little missionary work, com- 



116 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

pared with what I hoped to do, but that little 
demands gratitude. Of the eight missionaries 
who sailed in the Corvo from Boston, August 
2d, 1830, we alone remain among the heathen. 
Truly God's ways are not as our ways, or his 
thoughts as our thoughts. The instruments he 
deigns to employ may fail, or be laid aside, in 
rapid succession, but the glorious work still goes 
on, the efficiency remains the same, and it is an 
honor and a blessing to have been employed a 
day or an hour in such a cause. I realize, more 
and more forcibly, how very little God usually 
permits one individual to perform. Now and 
then, one person is seen to accomplish what we 
call a great deal, but even then, his efforts are 
so linked with those of others, and such a train 
of providential circumstances attend them, as to 
lessen considerably the amount due to him alone. 
Yet these feeble agencies are, in the aggregate, 
destined to be the means of the conversion of a 
world now lying in wickedness, for God has 
declared his purpose to effect this mighty work 
through his children. Which of us would be 
willing to forego our share in it? 

Mr. J. has sent me, by different opportunities, 
three valued letters, which he has received from 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 117 

you since he has been at Smgapore. The one 
giving an account of the decease of our beloved 
grandmother, he has retained with others, to 
bring himself. I long to see it, hoping to read 
a full description of the dying hours of one so 
dear, and who had so long been a veteran disci- 
ple of our blessed Lord. The lives of few, I 
believe, have been fraught with more intrinsic 
usefulness, or regulated by higher devotion, 
than hers. It is impossible to mourn her release 
from a world in w^hich she has endured such a 
fight of afflictions, and entrance on the reward of 
labours such as hers. A reward, not of debt, but 
of grace. I love to contemplate her ransomed 
spirit, bowing before the refulgent throne above, 
and adoring Him who sits thereon, as she raises 
her note of praise for his wisdom and love, 
manifested in all the way he has led her. 

Extract from a letter dated Bangkok, July 
Uth, 1835. 

The Bible, the precious, invaluable Bible is 
yet to be given to these dying multitudes around 
us. One press will scarcely suffice for the 
Siamese language. Who will send us another 
for the Peguans, the Cambojans, Laos, Cochin- 
Chinese, and other nations, speaking each a 



118 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

different tongue ? And who will come as mis- 
sionaries, teachers, printers, translators, &c., for 
this great work ? My heart almost fails me 
when I think of all the means required, and our 
hearts would quite fail us all, and we would go 
home discouraged, if we had not the promises of 
God to encourage us. He can do the work, and 
he can and will furnish the means. Next to 
those blessed and never-failing promises, nothing 
cheers and animates us so much as the assurances 
we receive from our brethren and sisters at home, 
by their letters, and by the public prints, that 
they are labouring with, and praying for us. 
The dear children of God are all employed in 
one cause — the building up of his glorious 
church ; and what a rapturous day will that be, 
when the last stone shall be brought forth, and 
we shall all be assembled to shout '' grace, grace 
unto it." 

Journal. Sept. 7th. — In the evening had the 
pleasure of attending the monthly concert at 
brother Johnson's. 

Sept. 9th. — Spent the day, after hearing the 
lessons of my scholars, with sister Robinson, 
and attended our female prayer-meeting. The 
first Wednesday in each month, we meet as a 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 119 

maternal association. On the other Wednesdays, 
besides a great variety of other important objects, 
we intercede for our fellow missionaries in every 
land. And that we may perform this part of 
our duty more thoroughly, and render it more 
interesting, we take the different missions in 
rotation, one at each time, and converse upon 
it, and read any interesting intelligence from it 
which we can procure. Our mission for to-day 
was Ceylon. These meetings we all consider 
one of our highest privileges. Every one 
' increases our mutual love. 

Extract from a letter dated Bangkok, De- 
cember I7th, 1835. 

Mr. Jones has lately received, from Calcutta, 
a lithographic press, which he is trying to make 
work, that he may be able to print something, 
though neither press nor printer should arrive 
from America ; I hope he will ultimately succeed; 
but it is a very perplexing business to one who 
has never even seen such an apparatus before. 
We have heard of our dear aunt's kind and suc- 
cessful efforts to obtain a press for us at Provi- 
dence ; but when it will reach us, we have no 
idea. The small edition of Matthew, and the 
tract which Mr, J. had printed at Singapore, 



120 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

four thousand copies in all, have long been ex- 
hausted. He intends to commence translating 
again at the commencement of the new year, 
having been endeavouring to fit himself more 
thoroughly for the work, by the perusal of native 
works. I have nearly finished the translation of 
a small popular Siamese book into English, 
which I intend hereafter to send you. It con- 
tains some of their ideas on religious subjects. 

The following is an extract of a letter to Mrs. 
Johnson, whose toils and sorrows are also ended ; 
a saint of blessed memory ; peculiarly endeared, 
by her lovely piety, to all who knew her. 

Bangkok, DecW, 2lst, 1835. 

Dear Sister, 

We were greatly rejoiced, this morning, to 
welcome dear brother Bradley home again. I 
need not say how much our joy would have been 
heightened had you and brother J. accompanied 
him. But we hope that your separation from 
us will be for the advancement of that blessed 
cause to which all personal gratifications should 
be sacrificed. I thank you for your kind letter, 
and am rejoiced to hear that you have such de- 
lightful scenery around you, and walks, which 
permit you to take pleasant and healthful exer- 



MEMOIR OF BIRS. E. G. JONES. 121 

cise. I have always felt the want of them ex- 
ceedingly here ; a flat monotonous country is 
peculiarly gloomy to me. I used to gaze at the 
distant hills as we stood on the deck of our ship, 
with a feeling of pleasure, as if I had almost 
caught a glimpse of our native shore. O that I 
could thus look by faith upon Zion, and fasten 
my affections there. 

" There, on a green and flowery mount, 
Our weary souls shall sit ; 
And, with transporting joy recount, 
The labours of our feet." 

With such a prospect before us, my dear sis- 
ter, how is it that we think and converse so much 
on earthly subjects ? How is it that we cannot 
soar far above all meaner things, and look at 
every object in the light of eternity ? I know 
that if you can be useful to any precious souls 
for whom Christ died, while you remain in 
Chantibun, you will rejoice in the sacrifices you 
are making; and we cannot believe that the 
portions of divine truth which you distribute 
there will all be lost, even though you have no 
other opportunities of doing good. If you wish 
for any thing which I can procure for you here, 
1 trust that you will not hesitate to afford me tlie 
11 



122 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

pleasure of doing so, but I rather hope that you 
will soon return and live near us again, for while 
there are so many tliousand Chinese idolaters in 
Bangkok, who need your labours, I can hardly 
feel reconciled to this painful separation. I shall 
probably never feel towards any other missionary 
sisters, exactly as I do towards yourself and sis- 
ter R. Your arrival and temporary residence in 
our family, after such a long and dreary period 
of loneliness and affliction, has endeared you 
both very much to me. Indeed, I believe that 
all our litde circle love each other better than w^e 
should if we lived in a civilized land. 

Continuation of extracts from lettei^s. 

January 6th, 1836. I have recently been de- 
vising a plan for writing the Siamese in the Ror 
man character, endeavouring to make it corres- 
pond as nearly as possible to the other Indian 
languages which, through the indefatigable labors 
of some philanthropists in Hindostan, are fast 
becoming Romanized. The powers given to the 
Roman letters are the same as in the language of 
the Sandwich islands, and most of the languages 
of continental Europe. 

January 23d. — I have sometimes felt as if it 
was small business to be attending personally to 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 123 

the teaching often children and youth, but as I 
was reading in Doddridge's family expositor, a 
few days ago, the affecting account of Christ's 
taking little children in his arms and blessing 
them, I felt ashamed of my ambitious, unworthy 
feelings, and thankful to be employed in any 
way in the cause of Jesus. 

At the entrance to one of the temples, I met 
with an old gray-headed man, who was employ- 
ed to assist in repairing it, and said to him, <*you 
are an old man." He assented. " You will 
soon die," I continued, " and then what will 
become of your spirit ?" At first, he replied, he 
did not know ; but the next moment his eye 
brightened, and he looked upward, pointiag 
toward the sky, and said, '' I shall go to heaven 
for working at this temple." " No," said I, 
*' that will not take you there." " Where shall 
I go then ?" " I do not know ; if you worship 
the true God, and believe in his Son, he will 
take you to heaven ; if not, you cannot be saved." 
'* Who is the Son of God ?" I gave him, in 
answer to this last question, a brief account of 
Christ's mission to earth, and his death on the 
cross for the salvation of all men, and left him. 
How did my heart sink within me as I walked 



124 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

down the steps, to see him look up in my face 
with an expression of wonder, and say, " she can 
speak Siamese !" And this, thought I, is all the 
interest the poor old man takes in the glorious 
tidings which have just reached his ears; and 
such, my dear sister, is the impression which 
such conversation makes, apparently on nearly 
all with whom we labor. If living among the 
heathen will not teach a christian his entire 
dependence on the influences of the Holy Spirit, 
I know not what will. Mr. Jones had consider- 
able congregations at two of the wats, to whom 
he preached Jesus. He has commenced visiting 
the wats in Bangkok, for this purpose, once a 
week. But if he should not miss one Sunday 
for two years, he would not be able (taking 
them in rotation,) to visit them all. As to the 
thousand temples in other towns in Siam, God 
only knows when his children will preach Christ 
in them. His precious promises assure us that 
the time will come, 

Sunday, 24th. — Mr. J. and myself are reading 
the memoirs of Gordon Hall, Boardman, and 
Mrs. Allen, of Bombay. In meditating upon 
them this morning, my imagination followed 
them to their new mansions of glory, and I 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 125 

fancied I heard them convershig together. ** Bro- 
ther," says one, " look, for a moment, at that 
lower world which we have just left, and see 
how the miserably low standard of piety to 
which we attained while living there, is set up 
for a pattern to our successors. I feel ashamed 
and confounded at the sight, and long to fly 
down and tear the veil from their eyes, and show 
them how they should live." ''And yet," 
replies his companion, "there is one, now read- 
ing, who is living far below even our mark, can 
she hope ever to reach these holy abodes?" 

Never, my beloved S , except through the 

perfect righteousness of Christ. I feel that my 
c/ize/* inquiry, at present, should be. How can I 
live nearest to God ? 

February 14th. — I have to-day seen, for the 
first time, a Siamese wom^n apparently affected 
by the news of salvation by Jesus Christ. While 
Mr. J. was preaching, she arose from her seat to 
look at the speaker, and remained so, the tears 
running down her cheeks until he ceased, when 
she exclaimed, in an affecting manner, " I wish 
to receive that word." You can hardly realize 
how thrilling it is to me to hear a congregation 
11* 



126 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

of these heathen addressed, in thek own lan- 
guage, on the salvation of their souls. 

June 10th. — I have just been reading over 
your last kind letter, and the tear started in my 
eye as I laid it down and mused on your past 
sorrows and my own. Truly the world is not 
our rest — it is not designed to be so. Our 
heavenly Father has bliss, perfect, undying 
bliss, in store for us, but his wisdom chooses 
that we should pass through a state of probation 
and trial before we enjoy it. Yet when those 
trials are likely to be too heavy for our present 
frail natures to endure, he can so strengthen our 
mental vision to view eternal realities, as to make 
all present sufferings seem light and transient. 
I never had such clear and delightful views of 
the happiness of being in the hands of a supreme- 
ly wise and benevolent God, and having all my 
circumstances ordered by him, as when I had 
just closed the eyes of my darling first-born, 
whose loss will never be fully made up to me in 
this world. 

June 18th. — You ask if I do not sometimes 
pray for christians in my native land ? I assure 
you I often do, for after the exercise of all due 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 127 

charity, there is still reason to fear that too many, 
even of tlie true followers of Christ, are far from 
obeying the precept, " whether ye eat or drink, 
or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of 
God." We are all too apt to seek our own 
selfish ends, and gratify our own carnal inclina- 
tions — to "seek our own, and not the things 
which are Jesus Christ's." Even when we 
enter on his service, and think we are wholly 
devoted to it, self is apt to insinuate itself so 
secretly into our hearts, that, ere we are aware, 
we are drawn completely aside ; and though we 
pursue still the same objects, it is for different 
ends, and with different motives, to those with 
w^hich we commenced. I can in no other way 
account for the strange and undue importance 
which some eminent christians attach to subjects 
and things of inferior moment, while the 
" weightier matters of the law" are passed by 
unheeded. 

November 1st. — At this season of the year 
the king and his nobles go out in their state 
boats, in imposing processions, to make ostenta- 
tious and expensive offerings to the priests of 
Budh, before whom the highest officers in the 
kingdom, and even his majesty himself, bow in 



128 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

humble adoration. These priests remind me of 
the " man of sin, who exalteth himself above all 
that is called God ;" for the person of the king 
is considered so sacred, that the citizens may 
not look upon him. Every house and shop, 
which he passes, is required to be closely shut, 
not a window or door may be left open ; and all 
who happen to be outside must fall on the 
ground and hide their faces in the dust, or run 
^he risk of being shot by the guards. Yet this 
haughty monarch and his proud nobility, (in 
whose presence also common people may not 
walk upright, but are obliged to crawl on their 
hands and knees,) go, day after day, from 
temple to temple, and do obeisance to the priests ; 
and they, in their turn, bow themselves before 
the senseless image of annihilated Deity ! Is n&i 
the triumph of Satan complete in this benighted 
land ? But the time is at hand when Satan shall 
be bound, and his empire broken. Happy day 
for Si am. 

November 9th. — While we rejoice in the rich 
spiritual blessings which our heavenly Father is 
bestowing upon you, our hearts are pained to 
see among our christian brethren of every name, 
so great a waste of time and talent in contentions 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 129 

and controversies about things of secondary, and 
in some instances, trifling importance. At this 
distance, and placed, as we are, in the heart of 
the enemy's country, it seems to us that the 
great body of our Immanuel's army, instead of 
gathering all their strength to unite in a vigorous 
attack upon the common foe, are employing their 
forces against one another, in a great measure, 
and contenting themselves v^ith making a few 
feeble skirmishes, and sending a few detach- 
ments against Satan's great and fearful army. In 
the heat of battle, shall one regiment turn its 
arms against another, because it conceives it is 
not marching according to the orders of the 
General? Or a soldier leave his ranks, or an 
officer his post, to fight a duel with his fellow^? 
The battle between the church, and her great 
adversary, is growing hotter ; the army of King 
Jesus is augmenting ; larger and larger bands of 
devoted warriors are penetrating into the enemy's 
borders, and we are sorry to see any of our 
respected brethren and fathers apparently more 
solicitous about questions which gender strife, 
than the salvation of precious souls. Would you 
like to know what Satan is doing here. He is 
using the same shrewd policy among the heathen, 



130 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

as in christian lands — turning the attention of the 
people to trifles, lest it should be fixed on things 
of eternal importance. According to their own 
system, budhists have no means of escape from 
punishment after death. There are seven 
missionaries come to show them a way of salva- 
tion, yet they are not heeded, and Avhy ? because 
their whole attention is absorbed in trifles. We 
are most inconveniently situated, and our labors 
seriously impeded for want of a location which 
we may be allow^ed to consider in some degree 
permanent. The minister of foreign affairs, 
under whose jurisdiction we all are, has given 
positive orders that we shall all rent houses on 
his premises, as soon as he can build them. This 
he commenced some months ago, but a royal 
white elephant being taken dangerously ill, he 
was obliged to attend upon it so constantly, that 
all his business of state, and of course, our petty 
concerns, were brought to a stand, so that for 
many weeks, none of the brethren could obtain 
an audience. 

We are cheered to know that our individual 
case is always mentioned at your monthly con- 
cert. We are trying to sow a little seed, but 
you have as much to do with its springing up as 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 131 

we ; for without the watering of prayer it can 
never grow. I wish those who are wont to find 
themselves too much fatigued by the labors of 
the day, to attend the concert, were more aware 
of this. 

June 30th, 1837. — Our excellent friend, Mr. 
Malcom, arrived here in the early part of this 
month, in fine health and spirits, and we feel his 
visit to be a great treat ; but I fear he will have 
but a discouraging report to bear of our station 
to his brethren at home. Yet I know not how 
we can expect seed to spring up where it is not 
yet sown. 

Journal. January 1st, 1838. — As I send forth 
my' thoughts to converse with you a little to-day, 
and to offer you my kindest wishes for a " happy 
new year" to you all, the painful reflection that 
one of our little circle may be beyond the reach 
of any thing which I can write, forces itself on 

my mind. Our long loved H is probably, 

ere this, an inhabitant of that world where per- 
fect bliss is unmeasured by the flight of time. 
We have often looked back on the finished 
year, as one which has removed from us valued 
friends and dear relations, but never before, on 
one which has closed over the grave of a sister ! 



132 MEMOIR or MRS. E. G. JONES. 

And I, though not permitted to stand with you 
around the dying bed, have witnessed during the 
past year, a new sight ; a missionary dying in 
the midst of the heathen, and pointing them to 
an abode of blessedness above, after his voice 
was sealed in death. And ere the year w^as 
closed, I found myself again by the side of a 
departing spirit ; another poor Burman woman. 
She had been a heathen ; but I saw her refuse 
her vain superstitions, and lift her hands to pray 
to Jesus. She had, for many weeks, professed 
lo trust in Him alone for salvation. In the hour 
of death, she found him a firm support, and said 
she was not afraid, for he would take her to 
heaven. 

Extract from a letter, dated February 4th, 
1838. 

We do not indeed distrust the power or faith- 
fulness of God : but how can we expect that he 
will perform, by miracles, that work which he 
has committed to his church ? Has he ever 
promised to convert the heathen without. the use 
of his own appointed means ? May God for- 
give our brethren at home who neglect their duty ; 
who can so easily satisfy their consciences that 
their great Master calls upon them to labor for 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 133 

the conversion of those, who, without their 
exertions, would still have '' line upon line and 
precept upon precept," while millions are grop- 
ing in the darkness of idolatry, without ever 
having heard so much as whether there be any 
Saviour? How is it, brother M., that so many 
of our most enlightened brethren, whose hearts 
apparently glow with love to Jesus and zeal in 
his cause, can be satisfied to spend so much pre- 
cious time in wiekling the pen of controversy on 
subjects, the belief or disbelief of which, can 
never affect the salvation of a single soul ; or in 
writing books for those who already have access 
to thousands more of good books than they can 
possibly read, while the heathen are mentally 
starving for the word of life, feeding on ashes, 
without a particle of truth to feed their souls ?" 

Most of the following notes were written on 
the blank leaves of a daily text book. 

Gen. ii. 6. — Since I have been in India 
where no rain falls for several months, I have 
seen what is meant by a mist going up from the 
earth, and watering the face of the ground. 
The more extensively nature's works are sur- 
veyed, and the more deeply they are investi- 
12 



134 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

gated, the more do they confirm and beautifulljr 
illustrate the scriptures. 

Amos vi. 1. — " Woe to them that are at 
ease in Zion." Who would be at ease in the 
midst of a siege ? When the fight is over^ and 
the victory gained, then will the warrior find 
that ease which, in this life, he ought not to 
wish for. 

Gen. xxii. Matt. x. — Much encouragement 
is afforded, in these chapters, to those who have 
left their native land to carry the gospel to the 
heathen. From the manner in which Christ 
sent forth his disciples, it is unequivocally mani- 
fest, that he intends the whole earth shall be 
made acquainted with the glad news of salvation, 
by means of his own children, and that he will 
take care and provide for them in every place, 
and on every emergency. I believe his provi- 
dence has called me here, and surely I ought to 
consider it an unspeakable honor and blessing to 
be engaged in such a service for the King of 
kings. Abraham could give up his only son at 
the command of God — could even consent to 
slay him with his own hand ! And cannot I 
submissively relinquish the society of dear 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 135 

friends, for a few days, that God may be glorified 
among the heathen ? Only in thy strength, my 
Saviour. Afford it to me, I beseech thee, that I 
may not dishonour thy holy name by which I 
am called. 

Eph. V. 14. — ''Awake, thou that sleepest," 
&c. The whole heathen world are sleeping in 
a deep and death-like slumber. Our unconverted 
friends are sleeping amid the enlivening beams 
of a glorious day. Christians are nodding over 
their work, if not so far gone as to neglect it 
entirely. We must awake ourselves, before we 
can arouse our fellows. Then let us up to the 
work. 

Psalm xlii. 1. — Whenever our hearts are in 
such a frame as to be continually desiring com- 
munion with God, as earnestly as the thirsty hart 
pants for the water-brooks, then are the streams 
of divine love sweet to our taste. When the 
season for secret prayer arrives, we hasten to 
enjoy a feast of fat things ; indeed we feel loth 
to wait for it, but long to leave our daily employ- 
ments, and often steal a moment from them, to 
converse with Jesus. All that hinders our inter- 
course with our Saviour, is irksome ; and if at 
any time we are deprived of our accustomed 



13G MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

privilege, we watch eagerly for the first oppor- 
tunity to repair our loss. Happy those who 
thus thirst always. 

Matt. xix. — How many who appear, to the 
world, to be first on the list of saints, shall never 
enter the world of glory, is known only to Him 
who searcheth the heart. How many of those 
who have left their country and friends, appa- 
rently from love to Jesus and precious souls, 
wdll be found at last to have acted from unworthy 
motives, cannot yet be told. And how many of 
those who were, at first, really actuated by mo- 
tives of love to Christ, may lose much of their 
reward by the subsequent indulgence of selfish- 
ness, worldly-mindedness, pride, ambition, and 
other evil passions, we know not. Many, 
probably, who are considered by the Church of 
Christ on earth, as its brightest ornaments, its 
holiest, most self-denying members, may have 
but a low place assigned them in the kingdom of 
glory, if indeed, they ever gain admittance there. 
While others, who are comparatively overlooked 
by their brethren, may be leading more self-de- 
nying lives, in the midst of friends and temporal 
comforts ; may be silently resisting temptation, 
patiently enduring trials, curbing the evil pas- 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 137 

sions which they find continually rising in their 
hearts, and embracing all those little, every day 
opportunities of honouring God, and doing good 
in the world, which every situation in life offers 
to the attentive observer. There are, doubtless, 
many such, who will, to the astonishment of 
their present associates, shine as stars of the 
first magnitude, when the judgment of Him who 
looketh upon the heart, shall have awarded to 
all an impartial destiny. " Many that are first 
shall be last, and the last shall be first." 

Exodus xl. — It is a striking fact in the history 
of the Israelites, that they were always ready to 
promise, *' all that the Lord hath commanded, 
we will do." And so far as those commands 
related to the furnishing of splendid externals 
for worship, they were as ready to perform 
their promise. They were very zealous in 
bringing their gold, and silver, and brass, and 
purple, &c., to beautify the tabernacle ; and all 
classes seemed to vie with one another in mak- 
ing offerings of time and money, each in the 
best way he could, for the object, until a most 
magnificent apparatus was completed. It was 
in keeping those precepts that related to the 
hearty and to the manner of life^ that they 
12^ 



13B MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

failed. It was just where professors of religion 
fail now. They find it easier to bnild ele- 
gant places to worship God in, than actually 
to worship Him in spirit and in truth ; 
easier to give of their earthly possessions 
for the spread of true religion among their 
fellow-creatures, than to keep the flame brightly 
burning in their own hearts. After all the pro- 
fessions I have made, and after having left my 
country and friends, in obedience, ostensibly, to 
the command of God, how shamefully deficient 
am I, in respect to those, which He who look- 
eth on the heart, must regard as of the greatest 
importance. " Keep thy heart with all dili- 
gence." *' Set your affections on things 
above." *' Speak evil of no man." '' As ye 
would that men should do unto you, do ye even 
so to them." '' Pray without ceasing." 

I. Cor. vii. 29 — 31. — The present is not a 
state in which to seek enjoyment. It is a state 
of probation ; calculated, if rightly improved, to 
fit the soul for the life of purity and bliss, which, 
in the case of the christian, is to succeed it. 
Our business here, then, is not so much to enjoy 
the society of dear friends, as to labour to pre- 
pare their souls and our own, for heaven. If 



I 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 139 

troubles assail us, we should not view them as 
real evils, but refining fires, which will purify 
us from all those corrupt passions and propensi- 
ties which cannot be admitted there. If we 
enjoy prosperity, let us keep ourselves as hum- 
ble as though we rejoiced not. If worldly 
goods be given us, let us use them as though 
they belonged not to us, but to God ; remaining 
poor ourselves, that we may assist in "making 
many rich." 

But the time is short. O tbat this truth might 
dwell perpetually in my mind. I would 
remember it in the closet, that it may give fer- 
vency and intensity to my petitions. I would 
remember it in the house of God, that my 
wandering thoughts may be concentred on the 
important duties of public worship. I would 
remember it in my family, that I may be faith- 
ful to every member ; and especially would I 
remember it in the social circle, to prevent me 
from engaging in any conversation which is not 
calculated to advance my own spiritual interests, 
or those of my friends. O that the still small 
voice of conscience, whispering " the time is 
short," might ever interrupt such conversation, 
and lead me, if I cannot change it to some more 



140 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

profitable subject, to turn my thoughts inward 
and commune with God. 

Heb. xiii. 14.--^" Here we hav« no continu- 
ing city, but we seek one to come." So could 
Christ say. So could the apostles and first 
christians say. But who can, for the like reason, 
say so now ? What proportion of the christian 
church at the present time, are going out from 
their native land, preaching and teaching the 
gospel to those who sit in darkness and the 
shadow of death, as they did ? It is fearfully 
small. What if God, in compassion for the 
heathen, should permit the man of sin to raise a 
persecution against his church, and scatter it 
abroad over the face of the earth, and thus com- 
pel his people to become missionaries to the 
heathen? 

Matt. vii. 7. -"Ask, and it shall be given you," 
&c. How much do we lose by not availing our- 
selves of the fulness of this promise. We ask 
a little, and receive a little; and then feel, or 
rather act, as if that little were all that God has 
to bestow. If we do not value the blessings 
Christ has died to purchase for us, enough to 
seek earnestly for them, it is not strange that we 
receive so small a portion. If holiness of heart, 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 141 

deadness to the world, lively views of heaven, 
and the happiness of communion with God, were 
blessings to be purchased, what price should we 
deem too great to pay for them ? Shall we es- 
teem them less, because they are offered to us 
without money and without price ? Though we 
are not required to pay for them, they cost the 
Son of God an immense sum ; a sum which we 
can never appreciate. For his sake, let us value 
them. For his sake, let us plead earnestly for 
them, even until we are filled with all the fulness 
which God has to bestow. 

Phil. ii. 3. ''Let nothing be done through 
strife or vain glory," Slc. There is riot, in the 
whole code of Christian law, a precept more 
difficult of observance than this ; nor one which 
is more universally violated. Witness the con- 
troversies among the leaders in the Christian 
church. How often are they began in vain- 
glory, and ended in strife. Witness the frequent 
bickerings among Christians of all ranks. We 
do not esteem each other better than ourselves, 
or we should be less confident that we can inter- 
pret the scriptures, and ascertain the mind of 
Christ, better than all who differ from us. If we 
possessed that lowliness of mind here enjoined, 



142 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

we could not be so sure that our opinions are 
correct on all points of Christian doctrine and 
practice. There is another way in which this 
precept is violated. Christians are not williifg 
each to take their appropriate places, and per- 
form that portion of labour in the church, for 
which they are best fitted ; else why do we see 
so much jealousy, so much striving for the glory 
of this or that work, which can be better done 
by others, while our own proper department 
suffers loss ? When will that beautiful arrange- 
ment of the church, which the wisdom of Christ 
and his apostles ordained, be again witnessed ? 
When shall each one stand in his lot ? 

II. Cor. V. 14. — "The love of Christ con- 
straineth us," <&;c. An unanswerable argument 
in favour of Christian missions. If the heathen 
are not dead in sin, then Christ has not died for 
all. But if Christ has died for all, and all are 
dead, until they shall obtain life through the 
knowledge and reception of his salvation, how 
is the Christian constrained, by love to him who 
has redeemed his own soul, to go forth and offer 
that salvation to them who have never heard of 
it. How much love have we for Christ, if we 
can live among the heathen, and not be con- 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 143 

strained to put forth every possible effort for the 
salvation of all around us. Oh ! the love of 
Christians for their perishing fellow sinners is 
not like the love of Christ. 

Acts xiv. 22. — " We must through much 
tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." 
Then why dread trials, or faint under them ? 
We know they lie in our path ; but we know 
too that they are soon passed. Onward, onward, 
should be our motto, and when the deep river 
appears in full view before us, let us march 
boldly through, taking confidingly the hand 
which is stretched out to keep us from sinkmg, 
and looking stedfastly toward the end of our 
journey, and that blessed country toward which 
we are traveling. When a black mountain 
seems to shut up our path, let us climb it vigor- 
ously ; and when we have fairly reached its 
summit we shall have a noble view of the road 
to glory. 

IL Cor. iv, 18.—** While we look not at the 
things which are seen," &lg. A hasty glance 
will not enable us to see eternal things. This 
is why the world sees them not, and why so 
many Christians have such faint, indistinct views 
of them. We must take our telescope, the glass 



144 MEMOIR OF MKS. E. G. JONES. 

of faith, and, after carefully wiping from it all 
the mists of doubt and distrust, look long and 
steadily at the distant objects it presents to our 
view. Then they wdll brighten and expand, 
till all temporal things are lost in our sight, or 
sink into their own insignificant places in the 
landscape. 

Rev. xxii. 3, 4. — *'And there shall be no 
more curse," &c. Blessed world, where sin 
shall no more curse the believer. Here it often 
obscures our vision so that we cannot see the 
throne of God, and of the Lamb. There, all 
shall be clear perception. No mist, no veil to 
intercept the divine rays. There we shall enjoy 
the luxury of serving him without these hin- 
drances, and these mistakes, which vex us so 
much here, and so sadly mar our work. There 
we shall work in the light of his countenance, 
and no longer will clouds and darkness be round 
about him. 

Acts iv. 12. — '* Neither is there salvation in 
any other," &c. Do we really believe this ? 
Then let that name be sounded out to the ends 
of the earth, and let the thousands and millions 
who have never heard it, know that there is no 
salvation in any other. Let us not be spending 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES, 145 

our time in trifles, when we ought to be making 
known this only refuge from divine wrath, to 
those who are ignorant of it, and urging those 
who already know of it, to flee to it, before it 
shall be too late. My soul ! what is it that 
engrosses most of thy time and attention? 
Thine own little concerns, or thy neighbour's 
peril ? Thine own business, or thy Master's 
commission ? 

John xxi. 17. — ^Dear Saviour, thou hast much 
reason to ask of me the question, " Lovest thou 
me ?" Often have I fled from thee like Peter, 
but without his excuse. He fled for his life, 
and before thou hadst suflered on the cross, to 
atone for sin ; but I flee from thy presence when 
thou art calling me to come into the inner cham- 
bers and sup with thee. I flee from thee after I 
have tasted thy love, and had some sense of the 
greatness of thy sacrifice and suflerings for sin- 
ners. Give me, I pray thee, repentance like 
that of Peter, which shall induce me to love thee 
more intensely, and labour for thee more faith- 
fully every day I have yet to live. 

Heb. ix. 27. — " It is appointed unto men once 

to die," Sic. Reason has long stood knocking 

at the door of futurity in vain, asking what is 

death ? She never has, and never will, eflect an 

13 



146 MEMOIR OF MRS. B. G, JONES. 

entrance, or obtain an answer. Her votaries, 
indeed, are continually passing through the gate, 
but not one has ever returned to gratify her 
curiosity. Revelation unlocks the door, and 
gives us a distant view of what is beyond it, but 
even she cannot enable us to comprehend clear- 
ly its sublime realities ; for how can the grub, 
w^hile crawling in the dust, comprehend the 
beauty and the soaring of the butterfly, until it 
is changed into the same glory? 

Rom. xii. 2. — *'Be not conformed to this 
world," &c. Oh ! who would be conformed 
to a world like this i To what are its votaries 
conformed ? To love of gold, with all the 
untold cares and labours, and weariness and 
anxieties it brings. To love of fashion, with all 
its slavery. To love of pleasure, with all its 
disappointments, its envy and its dangers. If 
the heart of man were not utterly at variance 
with the holiness of the christian life, surely it 
would long to be transformed to somethuig bet- 
ter than such unsatisfying pursuits. 

John xvi. 8. — " And when he is come, he 
will reprove the v/orld of sin," &c. The more 
extensive our acquaintance with mfinkind be- 
comes, the more strikingly do we see the neces- 
sity of the Holy Spirit's influences, to convince 






MEMOIR OF MRS, E. G. JONES. 147 

the world of sin, or rather, as the text is, to 
reprove them of it. Though all heathen, Mus- 
sultnen, papists and protestants know that they 
eommit sin, none ever forsake it, but those 
whose hearts are reproved and renewed by the 
Holy Spirit. Though all profess to love righte- 
ousness, none practice it but those who do it from 
love to Jesus. Though all, or nearly all, believe 
in future retribution, none prepare for it, but 
those who are prepared by the Spirit of God. 

Ps. cxix. 54. — " Thy statutes have been my 
songs in the house of my pilgrimage." Though 
our Saviour has truly said, " in the world ye 
shall have tribulation,^' he has given us some 
sweet songs to sing for our cheering; and we 
may sing them amidst our heaviest trials, rejoic- 
ing in the statutes of the Lord. The songs 
w^hich David sung, he has left for the church in 
all future ages. How interesting to reflect that 
we sing the same strains in which kings and 
prophets^ apostles and martyrs, have praised 
our God in ages past: psalms which our blessed 
Saviour used while here sojourning below. 

Job. xxxiv. 3 1 . — " Surely it is meet to be said 
unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not 
offend any more." Our proper work in the 
night of affliction is to humble ourselves before 



148 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

God, and to form resolutions of amendment, to 
review our past actions, and see wherein we 
have ofiended and how we might have avoided or 
overcome temptation, and how we can order our 
hearts before God in future, so as to please him 
and keep his commandments. When a father 
chastises a child, it is to make him think of his 
disobedience and reform his conduct ; and if he 
sees him brooding over his punishment instead 
of his sin, he feels that his chastisement is not 
yet sufficient. 

John XV. 1. — "I am the true vine, and my 
Father is the husbandman." What a blessed 
privilege it is, amid the vicissitudes of life, to 
feel that we are branches of a true vine, and that 
a husbandman, of Almighty skill, is training us 
for a more delightful garden. He will give us 
just as much sunshine, and water us just as often 
as he sees best for our growth, and when the 
tendrils of our affections fasten themselves on 
improper objects, he will cut them off, and prune 
us, and fit us for the paradise of his presence. 

Gal. iv. 6. — " Because ye are sons, God hath 
sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, 
crying, Abba, Father." When I was a very 
little child, and from that time until I had reached 
the period of youthful gaiety, I had seasons of 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 149 

Strong desire to become e christian, and the 
greatest difficulty in my way always was, that I 
was required to love God from pure motives, 
without any mixture of selfishness. I could 
and would have performed the most painful 
popish penance to obtain the blessing, but to 
love God for his own sake, was something I 
could not conceive to be possible. So awfully 
depraved is the human heart, that all the glorious 
attributes of God, all his mercy and long-suffer- 
ing toward us, fails to move it to gratitude and 
love, until the regenerating influences of the 
Holy Spirit rest upon and entirely transform it. 
I Peter, ii. 2. — *'As new-born babes de- 
sire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may 
grow thereby." This is a very striking iigure. 
New-born babes have but one single desire. 
The thousand things that engage our attention 
are of no v/orth to them. But present to them 
their mother's milk, and see how eagerly they 
will drink it in, and though satisfied for a little 
while, they soon cry again for it, and will not 
be pacified until they obtain it. Now, if in our 
efforts to become holy, we could shut our eyes 
to the cares and blandishments of earth, as an 
infant does to all the luxuries of its parents' tabic, 
and desire with equal eagerness, to draw in the 
13^ 



150 MKMOm OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

milk of the divine word, we should every day 
make as sensible progress, in conformity to the 
image of God, as the child newly born, does in 
its stature and faculties. We must drink, and 
drink, and drink again, and not forget it for a 
single day, if we would be strong men in Christ 
Jesus. 

In it lie concealed mines of hidden wisdom, 
beauties which can only be discerned by close 
investigation. Here we find instructions to 
guide us, consolations to comfort us, admoni- 
tions to quicken us, beacons to warn us, exam- 
ples to excite us, and promises to strengthen our 
faith and animate our hopes, both for this world 
and that which is to come. 

Rom. viii. 5.-— How few have their thoughts 
and affections, and labours, and the best ener- 
gies of their nature mainly fixed on *' the things 
of the Spirit." Even in those labours and em- 
ployments which we undertake for God, how 
many impure motives, and vile affections, and 
selfish feelings mingle, so that what was begun 
for God, ends in self-seeking. 

Gen. xxxix. 9. '* How can I do this great 
wickedness, and sin against God?" When we 
think of oflending the great, the holy, and long- 
suflering God, how does the strongest tempta- 



MKMOIR or MRS. E. O. JONES. 151 

tion to sin fall powerless at our feet. Is there a 
more potent charm to shield us from danger than 
this verse ? 

Luke xxiv. 45. " Then opened he their un- 
derstanding, that they might understand the 
scriptures." Walking and conversing together 
in sadness and perplexity, almost douhting 
whether the religion they had emhraced were 
not all a dream, the two disciples were suddenly 
surprised by the appearance of a stranger, who, 
in opening to them the scriptures, and explaining 
the dark things in the providence of God, over 
which their minds were brooding, made their 
hearts burn within them. And, though they 
probably were not aware of any supernatural 
influences exerted on their minds, opened their 
understandings that they might comprehend the 
truth. 

Heb. ii. 17. *' Wherefore, in all things it 
behofed him to be made like unto his brethren," 
<fec. What a consolation it is in the midst of 
trouble and sorrow, to feel that our great Medi- 
ator once suffered just as we do now, and there- 
fore knows how to sympathize with us. In 
bodily pain and suffering he is our brother, for 
he has experienced it in its most excruciating 
forms. In vexation through the sins and deprav- 



152 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

ity of those with whom we have to do from day 
to day, he is our brother, for he once lived in 
the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. 
In the perfidy of those we have loved, he is our 
brother, for he was betrayed by one who had 
been his constant companion, in experiencing 
ingratitude from those for whose good we toil, 
he is our brother, for he went about doing good 
to the evil and unthankful. In misrepresenta- 
tion, slander, scorn, and revilings, he is our fel- 
low-sufferer, for he was accused falsely, abused, 
derided, buffeted and spit upon. Even in our 
bitter anguish for sm he is with us, for he sunk 
under the weight of it in Gethsemane and on the 
Cross. 

Psalm viii. 1. ''O Lord our Lord, how ex- 
cellent is thy name in all the earth !" &c. The 
heathen, in many countries, have endeavored to 
throw around the objects of their worship all 
the glory which their darkened imaginations can 
devise ; but how debased are they all when com- 
pared with our Lord, who has indeed set his 
glory above the heavens, so that all created 
intelligences may, and must behold it, unless 
they wilfully shut their eyes, or have them shut, 
through the influence of heathen progenitors. — 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 153 

O, if his name were held as excellent by all the 
earth, how blessed would the nations be. 

Hab. iii. 17, 18. ''Although the fig-tree 
shall not blossom," &c. When all earthly 
prospects look gloomy, then heaven appears 
brighter. When streams of comfort are cut off, 
we fly to the fountain. When we see nothing 
pleasant, then we take the glass of faith and 
look away to Jesus. Some of the brightest and 
clearest views the christian ever gets of Christ 
and heaven, and the character of God, are 
obtained in the night of sorrow. 

<* As darkness shews us worlds of light 
We never saw by day," 
so God often manifests to his children, when 
overwhelmed with affliction, such glories, that 
they feel that all earthly prosperity is as the 
small dust of the balance, compared with his 
love. What is the fig-tree and the olive, the 
flock and the herd, to one whose stedfast gaze 
is fixed on eternity ? There he sees only God, 
pervading all time and space ; and if he can 
feel that he is the God of his salvation, he can- 
not but rejoice, for he sees that the favour of 
God will soon be every thing to one who must 
soon pass into eternity. 

Rev. XV. 3, 4. — " Great and marvellous are thy 



154 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

works, Lord God Almighty," &c. How few 
persons there are who reflect on the great and 
marvellous works of God. How little attention 
do we pay to the operations of his hand in the 
natural world. If our notice were directed to 
the scenery and daily operations of nature, we 
should see wonders of skill and wisdom multi- 
plying around us at every step, and calling forth 
our increased admiration of the heavenly artist. 
In the daily rotation of the laws of the universe, 
we should find most wonderful power exhibited, 
as well as consummate wisdom, and tender love 
and care towards all the creatures of God's 
hand. The saints of old did not shut their 
eyes to these things. David, in particular, has 
filled his psalms with beautiful and pious allu- 
sions to the scenery of nature, and the govern- 
ment of God in the moral world. How often 
does he break forth in enthusiastic strains, when 
contemplating the works of God ; the heavenly 
luminaries, the animal and vegetable creation, 
the great and wide sea, the depths of the earth, 
and our own bodies, with other topics too nu- 
merous to mention, were constantly on his mind, 
shewing that he was in the habit of contemplat- 
ing God in his works continually. 

Rom. vi. 11. '' Likewise reckon ye also your- 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES, 155 

selves dead indeed unto sin," &c. O for that 
deadness to sin, which is here enjoined. It is 
an abominable thing. My soul loaths it, and 
yet strange to say, it cleaves to me. One day 
after another passes on, and I say to my soul, 
surely to day I shall gain the victory, and each 
night I feel conquered and abased by a review of 
broken resolutions and blasted hopes. Or if on 
some favored day, I feel thankful for restraining 
grace, and offer praise to God for having enabled 
me to overcome, and feel that to morrow shall 
be as this day and more abundant in spiritual 
blessings, some new temptation comes to van- 
quish me, or some old one is indulged, to bring 
me down into the dust again. Thanks, praises, 
hallelujahs unending, for the blessed promise of 
ultimate victory, through the merits of Him who 
has already destroyed the power of sin to con- 
demn, and who will soon destroy its power to 
distress and pollute us also. 

Psalm cxix. 25. '' My soul cleaveth unto 
the dust, quicken thou me according to thy 
word !" How precious are these quickenings of 
the Spirit of God, when it takes us up out of the 
dust of self and sin and earthliness, and shows us 
the glories of the upper world, introduces us to the 
fellowship of saints and angels, and fills us with 



156 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

all joy and peace in believing the promises of 
God, soon to be fulfilled to us through the merits 
and mercy of Christ our Saviour. How can we 
cleave to the dust again, after such a quick- 
ening ? 

Phil. ii. 5. " Let this mind be in you, v^^hieh 
was also in Christ Jesus." What is the mind 
which was in Christ Jesus ? Let us carefully 
search the scriptures and see. What was his 
mind toward God ? Was it not that of the most 
submissive filial affection ? Did not his whole 
delight consist in fulfilling the work which his 
Father had given him to do ? And was it not 
his daily and nightly practice to retire for converse 
with him in secret? Was he not constantly 
making reference to his Father, and imploring 
his assistance, and was not the glory of God 
constantly before his eyes, influencing all his 
actions ? And what was his conduct toward his 
fellow men ? How patiently did he bear with 
their infirmities-. How did he toil for their 
benefit. Yet how boldly and fearlessly did he 
reprove their sins. How tenderly did he deal 
with those who were in trouble. What patience 
and long-suff'ering did he manifest toward his 
frequently erring disciples. In short, how did 
*' love through all his actions run." And such 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 157 

should be the mind we cherish, such the tempers 
we manifest. Wkile we hate sin, we must love 
the sinner, and seek his good. While we labour 
for God, it must be for him alone. 

I Peter iii. 4. " A meek and quiet spirit," 
(fee. A meek and quiet spirit is of great price in 
the sight of men too, when they know what is 
for their own interest. It raises its possessor 
above all the turmoil of the world, and above all 
the tumult of his own passions, and bestows 
upon him all that happiness which others 
vainly seek in most opposite ways. It must be 
peculiarly pleasing to God, not only because it is 
fulfilling his express command, but because no 
other spirit is becoming in such debased crea- 
tures. A meek spirit will enable us to bear ill- 
treatment from others, without injury to our- 
selves. The weapons aimed at us, will fall 
powerless to the ground. A quiet spirit will 
keep us from rendering ourselves unhappy under 
the thousand nameless, necessary vexations with 
which life abounds. Who would not covet to 
put on such armour, even for his own security 
and peace ; and who that considers his own 
character in the sight of God, will dare to go 
without it ? Give me but this meek and quiet 
14 



158 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES, 

spirit ; and I ask for no other antidote to life's 
woes, no other armour in the heat of battle. 

Psalm xc : 12. On this closing day of another 
year, let me forget for a while all the cares of 
earth, and turn my thoughts inward, to bring 
back, as it were, its fleeting days as they have 
glided, one after another, into Eternity. Let 
me extinguish, for a few moments, those false 
lights which are accustomed to flare and glitter 
so near my eyes, as to intercept my gaze on the 
broad light of truth and i-eality, that I may righdy 
number my past days. They have been carry- 
ing me rapidly onward towards that untried 
hour, when, with me, time shall be no longer. 
Has each, as it passed along, done its portion 
of duty to fit me for eternal bliss? If the sins 
and follies of each were registered before me, 
how should I hide my eyes from the sight ! If 
the mercies of each were also registered, how 
ashamed should I feel, of my continued ingrati- 
tude ! If each were to bring its account of the 
friends it has launched into eternity and hidden 
from my sight, how should I feel the instability 
of all earthly joys ? Fleeting years are snatching 
from me all that gives life its value. But fleet- 
ing years are also wafting me onward to the 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 159 

meeting" place of lost friends, to an inheritance 
of joy which time can never fade. 

Job vii. 1. ''Is there not an appointed time 
to man upon earth ? Are not his days also like 
the days of an hireling ?" Man is an hireling. 
God has said to every being on v^hom he has 
bestov^ed life and intelligence, " Go, v^ork in 
my vineyard." Not, '* go, gather sticks and 
straws for your own amusement," not, " go, sit 
down idly to eat the fruit which may chance to 
grow around you;" but "go, work $ and when 
your labour is finished, you shall receive its 
reward." The christian is an hireling, why 
then should he look for rest in life's vineyard ? 
And what a fearful responsibility rests upon him 
if he does not work with his might ! With the 
future consequences of his work he has nothing 
to do : these rest with his master. It is his to 
toil unremittingly, without neglecting any part 
of the task assigned him, till death closes his 
contract ; then a glorious reward shall be given 
him. What a consoling, animating reflection it 
is, that we are but hirelings. Had we been 
left to find or make our own enjoyment in this 
world of sin, how wretched had been our lot ! 
Were it our eternal destiny to labor in our 
present toilsome employment, struggling per- 



160 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES, 

petually with its discouragements, vexations and 
trials, how forlorn and cheerless would be our 
prospects ! But thanks be to God, our day of 
toil will soon be ended, our task fulfilled; and then 
'* a far more exceeding and eternal weight of 
glory," shall be our undeserved reward. 

John xiv. 2. *'In my Father's house are 
many mansions; I go to prepare a place for 
you." Many mansions, but all in one house.-— 
There the children of God shall live together in 
sweet and holy intercourse. No difference of 
opinion, no jarring interests, no jealousy, envy 
or other unholy feelings, will ever interrupt 
their converse. All will be love and harmony ; 
and the joy of one will be multiplied by that of 
the rest. There the faithful missionary who 
has labored alone in the midst of the unclean 
and wicked heathen, with whom he could form 
no friendships, who could feel for him no sym- 
pathy, and who refused to join in his praises of 
his God and Saviour, will meet again his beloved 
friends, the distinguished saints of God, whose 
holy writings have so often kindled in his heart 
the flame of divine love, and his fellow-mission- 
aries who have toiled and suff'ered in the same 
cause, in different parts of the world. With 
what animation and glowing affections will they 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 161 

recount to each other the love of Jesus, manifest- 
ed through all the changeful scenes of their 
sojourn on earth, and raise the hallelujah to God 
and the Lamb, together! There too, Jesus, 
who purchased for them this everlasting joy, 
shall add to it the delight of his continual pre- 
sence, and from that presence, no sin shall ever 
separate them. No turning away from Jesus 
there. No carnal, selfish, worldly propensities, 
to draw the attention away from the contempla- 
tion of His glorious character. No stupidity of 
mind, no weakness of body, to intercept com- 
munion with God. Glorious, happy state ! — ■ 
Why do I not contemplate it more, long for it 
more, prepare for it better ? 



ON READING THE WORKS OF HENRY KIRKE WHITE. 

" There is a calm for those that weep," 
And thou, sweet spirit, now dost prove 
The blessed rest of those who sleep 

In Jesus love. 

Awhile thy spirit tarried here, 
Pent in its tenement of clay ; 
But, tried with storms and tempest drear. 
It fled away. 



162 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

Thy pains and sickness all forgot, 
Thy sorrows done, thy sins forgiven ; 
It now has found (O happy lot,) 

Repose in heaven. 

Awhile thy sweetly sounding lyre 
Played mournful in this vale of night ; 
Now it is tuned with heavenly fire, 

In worlds of light. 

And when the whole redeemed throng 
Shall gain at last that peaceful shore ; 
'Twill sing in notes shrill, sweet and strong, 
Forevermore. 



Sister, dost thou remember how we met 

One evening, as the sun went down, for prayer. 

And how a lovely one was with us, bright 

In youthful beauty, her sweet speaking eye 

Beaming upon us with a sister's love 1 

Dost thou remember how that eye was bent 

In holy reverence o'er the book of God, 

As she read to us from its sacred page ; 

And how she knelt with us, and fervently 

Implored a father's blessing on us all ] 

And then our thoughts were waked from earthly dreams, 

And, soaring upwards, led us to converse 

Of the departed. Each had lost a friend ; 

A dear young friend, who died in glorious hope 

Of immortality. And as we traced "> 

Their shi.aing path to Heaven, our souls were rapt 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 163 

In the sweet theme, until it seemed as they 
Were hovering o'er us, spirits perfect made ; 
Clothed in white robes, and singing the new song 
They learned from harps on high. 

But ah, no voice 
Came whispering through the air, that one of us, 
Ere yet another year had winged its flight, 
Should join that happy company ; that soon, 
One of us three should take her place among 
The three celestial ones of whom we spake : 
No form came flitting through the twilight shade 
To give us friendly warning that ere long 
She, who with lowly voice of penitence 
Had led our vespers, would be chanting forth 
Heaven's hallelujahs with that sainted choir. 

Sister, that hallowed hour shall never fade 
From our remembrance, till we too shall join 
Their song of glory : Till we meet above 
And, with our beatific sister, tune 
Our golden harps before the throne of God, 

There is a rest where Jesus' hand 
Shall wipe the tear from sorrow's eye ; 
There is a glorious happy land 
Reserved for all the saints on high. 

There is a rest where guilt no more, 
Will rob the soul of holy joy : 
Where sin and death shall lose their power ; 
Where satan's wiles can ne'er annoy. 



164 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

There is a rest which care shall flee ; 
Where disappointments never come ; 
A state of blest tranquility ; 
The christian's safe and peaceful home. 

There is a rest which I, one day, 
Far from this gloomy world may find 
When I shall cast these clogs away, 
And leave my pains and sins behind. 

Then, O my soul, with patience bear 
These light afflictions of thy clay ; 
They are not worthy to compare 
With the bright glories of that day. 

Cast far away thy doubts and fears, 
Thy heavenly friend ere long shall come 
To snatch thee from this vale of tears, 
Up to his own eternal home. 



THE MOTHER S CORPSE. 

She lay in solemn stillness. Not a sound 

Broke on the quiet of the lonely room; 

And she whose very looks, so lately had been watched 

With tenderness, by husband, children, friends, 

Was left in solitude ; and every foot 

Fell softly, as if fearful that its tread 

Might waken the dear slumberer. That sleep 

No sound, save the archangel's trumpet blast, 

Shall e'er disturb. 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 165 

One entered. Measuring 
The room with slow and mournful step, he strove 
To calm his bursting heart, ere he approached 
To look upon her. In his youth, her voice 
Had been the first to call him, father. Since then, 
In many an hour of deep distress, that voice 
Had been his consolation. She was, too, 
The staff of his old" age ; and when he thought 
Of all her fiUal love, the tenderness 
Of infancy came o'er him, and he wept. 
He turned to leave her ; and in turning saw 
His last, dear lovely daughter standing by, 
Lovelier and dearer for their mutual sorrow. 
She seemed a star to gild his eve of life ; 
A ministering angel sent to comfort him ; 
And while he looked upon her form he felt 
That life was not all darkness to him yet. 

Another stood beside that couch. His eye 

Was tearless ; but his hand was on his breast ; 

For there was anguish there ; though he had nerved 

Himself to calmness. On the lifeless clay. 

He gazed almost unconscious, for his thoughts 

Were with the disembodied spirit in the skies ; 

Hoping to meet her in the blissful land 

Of immortality. Yet he has ties to earth. 

He looks upon his offspring, and a father's love, 

With all the care it brings, shall rob his grief, 

(When its first bitterness is past) of half its sting. 

But there is one, to whom this cup is given, 
From whom it may not pass. Perchance she drinks 
15 



166 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

Less deeply of it now, than spouse or sire ; 

But she is doomed to take it drop by drop, 

Through all her future life. Others have lost a friend, 

Her eye rests on a mother's corpse ! O who 

8hall estimate her loss 1 Who now shall guide 

Her inexperienced feet through all the snares 

And briars of this wilderness 1 A^'ho now 

Shall teach her hand to pluck the good, and leave 

The poisonous fruit which overhangs her path ? 

She may forget, in hours of youthful joy 

This one of sadness ; but the ills of life, 

Will soon come over her ; and when she seeks 

For her, who was so wont to sympathise 

In all her sorrows, then this awful hour 

Shall flash upon her memory in vivid light, 

And tell her she is motherless ! 



TO MRS. FRASER. 

Written on leaving for Siani. 

From Caledonia's snow-clad land, 

From far Columbia's shore. 
We meet on Burmah's burning strand, 

And part to meet no more ! 

**To meet no more !" should voyagers say, 

When sailing o'er the main, 
At some fair islet by the way. 

They greet, then leave again. 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 1C7 

While the same breeze is wafting on 

Both to Iheir native home, 
And the same whitening clifls shall soon 

Proclaim their journey done] 

We, by time's all propelling gale, 
O'er life's dark waves are driven ; 

But He whose wisdom cannot fail, 
Guides to one port in Heaven. 

Maulmain, Sept. 1832. 

The circumstances of the departure of this 
favoured disciple of Jesus, to enjoy her reward 
of grace, are delineated in the following letter 
from her bereaved husband. 

Bangkok, Siam, March 29th, 1838. 

My dear Father, 

To one who has been long accustomed to 
look upon all the dispensations of God's provi- 
dence as infinitely wise and good, however mys- 
terious, I am, in sadness inexpressible, called 
upon to communicate the intelligence that our 
EHza has been suddenly removed from earth to 
heaven. 

I cannot write what my feelings prompt me 
to, but I know that you will wish, and have a 
right to expect, a statement of the circumstances 
by which you are bereft of a daughter who had 



168 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

few equals on earth, and /, of what earth cannot 
repay. 

On the mornings of the 26th and 27th inst., 
Eliza was unwell, complained of pains in the 
head and stomach, but towards evening of both 
days she was much better, and took a short 
walk with me about sunset. On both evenings 
she read, and wrote a communication for Ameri- 
ca, which I shall enclose to Mrs. . On 

retiring about ten o'clock on the evening of the 
27th, she complained of faintness and a relaxed 
state of the system, but nothing unusual was 
apprehended. She slept, for aught that I know, 
till about three o'clock yesterday morning, when 
I was awaked by hearing her vomit. I arose 
and gave her camphor. Purging soon followed. 
I did not retire again. She got a little rest; just 
before daylight her strength failed ; purging con- 
tinued. Opium and calomel were freely admin- 
istered, but before seven o'clock, cramps and 
spasms seized her. Dr. Bradley was immedi- 
ately called. Frictions, cataplasms, blisters, and 
the most powerful internal remedies were tried, 
but in vain, and about three o'clock, P. M., yes- 
terday, she gently breathed her last. 

To the last moment God blessed her with the 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 169 

full enjoyment of reason. Between seven and 
eight o'clock she said to me, (which was the first 
intimation I had of her own apprehensions,) *' I 
commend my children to God and to you ; train 
them up in the nurture of the Lord." I inquired 
if she had confidence in God ? Her reply was, 
" I have not served him as I ought ; I am very 
guilty, but Jesus came to save the guilty. He 
is all my confidence. Have you any message to 
send to your friends ? '* Tell them, live near to 
God." 

She had the servants and boys, whom she had 
long taught, called to her side, and said, " I am 
about to die, but I fear not death. Never forget 
what I have taught you. Follow it. Repent; 
trust in Christ, and we shall meet in heaven ;" 
at the same time stretching her hands and point- 
ing thither. To the nurse, who has charge of 
our little Julia Ehza, she said, " the child will 
now have no mother, take good care of her, and 
become yourself a disciple of Christ." To 
Howard she said, '' Be a good boy, and we shall 
see each other in heaven." 

A little while before speech left her, I repeated, 

" 'Tis almost done, 'tis almost o'er, 
We're joining those who've gone before.'^ 



170 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JOXES. 

Slie rejoined, 

' Jesus, lover of my soul, 
Let me to thy bosom fly :" 

As her sufferings seemed great, I said, 
*' Yet a season, and you know 
Happy entrance will be given ; 
All our sorrows left below, 
And earth exchanged for heaven." 

She seemed fully to comprehend the thought, 
as she did also many delightful passages of scrip- 
ture which were quoted to her by the brethren 
and sisters. Her death was the most peaceful 
and serene I ever witnessed. 

Her funeral was attended this morning by all 
the missionaries" and their wives, Mr. Hunter, an 
English merchant, and his two assistants, the 
Portuguese Consul and his Secretary, and the 
Supercargo of a Spanish brig now lying here. 
Mr. Robinson read the twelfth chapter of He- 
brews, to the latter part of which, (18 to 24,) 
Eliza used frequently to advert, as affording a 
glorious view of the blessedness of Christianity. 
He then preached a short discourse from Rev. 
xiv. 13, " Blessed are the dead that die in the 
Lord," &:c. Brother Davenport followed in 
prayer, and then I endeavoured to impress the 
solemnity of the event on the people about us. 



MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES, 171 

ill Siamese. There was much weeping, and 
the event will long be remembered. Oh that it 
might be for good. Her body sleeps beside 
Rebecca Wild and Henry Grew ;* while her 
spirit, no doubt, now mingles with theirs in all 
the ecstacies of bliss. 

Thus, after being blest, for nearly eight years, 
beyond the ordinary lot of mankind, I am left in 
desolation. What she was to me as a wife, a 
mother, a counsellor, a fellow-labourer, one sheet 
or two cannot tell. None can tell, or know, but 
He who knows all. Her counsel was invalua- 
ble, and her labours abundant. Besides the good 
which she did in Burmah, two poor Burman 
women here, converted, we trust, by her instru- 
mentality, have preceded her to glory. Two 
more, of whom we have strong hopes that they 
are true, though feeble Christians, still remain ; 
they called, and wept her early departure. Many 
about us, and others at a distance, will long re- 
member her unweaiied instructions. So much 
is already evident ; but she wrote much for the 
Siamese. A large school-book has been printed 
which owes all its Siamese to her. She long 
since wrote the histories of Joseph and Nebu- 

* Her children. 



172 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 

chadnezzar. She had lately written the history 
of Moses, bringing the history of the Israelites 
down to their entrance into Canaan. The histo- 
ries of Joseph and Nebuchadnezzar she had 
carefully revised and enlarged this year. — 
The latter she finished only three or four days 
before her death. They will be printed and 
read perhaps for centuries. She had recently 
directed her attention to Siamese poetry, and 
written several hymns. Her Siamese and Eng- 
lish dictionary is an immense work, and will 
prove of incalculable service to future missiona- 
ries. These are but parts of what she did ; but 
she rests from her labours, and her works will 
follow her. Thanks to God for such a wife ; 
thanks that she was spared so long, and thanks 
that he has taken her to her happy home in glory! 
May I and my children follow in her steps, and 
reach her blessed end. Yours, &;c. 

Now, unto him who brought again from the 
dead, our Lord Jesus Christ, and who will, with 
him, bring all his saints at his coming, be glory 
everlasting. Amen. 

THE END . 



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